I THOUGHT I was a goner, said disabled John Jones of his ordeal in a Forest layby after his Talbot campervan broke down and he was stranded without food, water and vital medicine for five long days.
But then he was visited by 'angels' in the form of patrolling police officers and Cinderford Police Station receptionist Jackie Guest, who quickly assessed the situation and helped him until he was at last able to move on.
"They were wonderful. I think they deserve the highest commendation for helping me like this. I was in a bad way when they found me," said John, whose 1986 motorhome is not a familiar make here as it was purchased in Ireland, making spares difficult to find.
John, travelling from Banbury where he was visiting a friend to his home in Ystrad, near Cardiff, pulled into the Peter's Cross layby at Woolaston for a break and was dismayed when he could not restart – the clutch cable had broken.
Far worse, he hadn't taken aboard water, food or medication – he is a cancer sufferer and has only one lung, and additionally suffers from angina and asthma.
"I would like to thank the patrol officers and especially Jackie Guest for making sure I got everything I needed, and also the man who locks up the toilets at the picnic site for checking on me each day to see I was all right. Everyone I met was absolutely wonderful.
"But the police were a real surprise and I cannot speak too highly of them. I would like to let the chief constable know how much I appreciate their help."
The police also helped John contact Christchurch Garage to fix up his van and when he felt up to it he went home – five days late – to his wife, who is deaf and had been worrying about his whereabouts.
Police station receptionist Jackie told the Review: "You have to be vigilant these days, don't you – you can't just leave people alone on their own. Apart from everything else it was very hot and it was lucky we were able to find Mr Jones and help."