After passing motorists simply drove on by as rain poured down


Gabrielle Adjei and her heroes from Kingston police station - twitter.com/MPSKingston

On Monday (11 July) at 2.30pm Gabrielle Adjei left her home in Putney to go shopping. The sun was shining and as it’s supposed to be ‘summer’ she dressed in linen trousers and a jacket.

As she reached Kingston the heavens opened and her electric wheelchair broke down. Gabrielle was stuck, stranded on the pavement unable to move in a heavy down pour.

Gabrielle’s mobility is limited due to multiple sclerosis and the wheelchair was her only method of movement. She did her best to flag down passing motorists but nobody stopped to help her.

On Tuesday once dried out Gabrielle said: “I have never been so frightened, I was stuck, unable to move and I didn't know who to turn to. I was soaked through and freezing cold”.

She then decided to call Kingston Police for help as she literally had no other option. Expecting us to say no she was shocked when within a few minutes we arrived on scene.

PC Steve Ogles and PC Ollie Burgess found a very wet and cold Gabrielle who had been stuck in heavy rain for 45 minutes. They tried to fix the wheelchair however it was clear that this was not feasible. They then called for a police van and PC Gavin Thorne and PC Chris Hawkins responded. The officers carried Gabrielle into the van and popped the heating on to warm her up. They even managed to squeeze the broken wheelchair in!

She was taken home and helped back into her house where she was able to get warm and dry. Before we left she asked for this photo so she could share the amazing story with her friends.
Gabrielle said: “These officers rescued me from a horrendous situation and I will always be grateful. I know this is something they normally wouldn't do, but I had no choice. We are so lucky to have officers like these four keeping an eye on us in London”

PC Steve Ogles said: “A big part of policing is helping those in moments of need and protecting the vulnerable. This was an unusual situation for us however we were more than happy to help, it’s all a part of the job.”