Stuck on the train overnight - Jay W (15th Feb 2014 - 20:29:47)
My poor father at 80 years of age was stuck on a train at Haslemere from approx. 9.45pm Friday until just after 4am due to a tree that had fallen on the line.
The station was locked, the pay phone outside was not working and the taxi outside was grabbed by the first lucky passenger to make it outside.
After waiting outside in that appalling weather most of the passengers went back to the train and waited and waited.
At Liphook the guard kindly offered to keep the train at the station whilst my Dad went over the bridge because of course it was pitch black, there being a power cut at Liphook.
I am however amazed there appear to be no emergency systems in place to arrange alternative transport or offer a phone call to passengers so they can call a taxi or at least let family know what has happened. Not everyone has a mobile phone.
My poor mother meanwhile had tried ringing to find out the status of the trains and was told they were running fine. She then of course imagined my father in hospital and all sorts!
Fortunately all's well that ends well but it could have been a different story.
Re: Stuck on the train overnight - claire (16th Feb 2014 - 21:10:09)
so very distressing for your father and the family.
there is a great product called 'OWNFONE' . which is a really simple to use mobile phone which can be pre programmed with a few numbers or you can have it printed with photos of people instead of their names etc.
I saw them at a Naidex exhibition but if you google 'ownfone AGEUK' it should come up with it.
Re: Stuck on the train overnight - liz (17th Feb 2014 - 09:33:39)
What a dreadful story. I'm surprised no-one else allowed your father to use their phone. That said I have noticed that when there is no power in Liphook we have no mobile (Vodafone) signal either.
