Police come to rescue of stranded Bristol bride
Many women dream of arriving at their wedding in a stylish vintage car or a horsedrawn carriage.
But blushing Bristol bride Louise Stewart from Bradley Stoke was chauffeured to hers by a police car.
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Police come to rescue of stranded Bristol bride
Louise, 28, had been left stranded on the roadside when the classic car carrying her to her wedding – a cream 1955 Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire – broke down on the Aztec West roundabout by the M5.
Two knights in shining armour came to her rescue – in the shape of police officers Chris Gowler and Paul Wiltshire.
They picked up Louise and her father, Jeff, and drove them to the wedding, at Eastwood Park in Wotton-under-Edge, in their patrol car.
They arrived at Eastwood Park exactly on time at 2pm – to the great relief of groom Dave Carter, 30, and the 70 guests.
Louise said that the classic car, owned and driven by her father's friend Pete Parnell, had started clunking and banging en route.
"We were by the side of the road for 20 minutes or so. I thought we would never get to Eastwood Park on time," she said.
"But then a police car went past, went round the roundabout and came back to us, asking where we needed to go.
"They said they could get us there by 2pm and they did, although we went so fast that my dress was over my head and I had to hold on really tight.
"It was very exciting.
"As soon as I got out of the police car, I went straight to the registry with Dave."
The two police officers stayed to have their photos taken for the couple's wedding album.
PC Gowler said: "We were on patrol when we spotted the broken-down wedding car, so we took the bride and her father to Eastwood Park. We are glad to have made the bride's day."
Louise said: "I want to say a big thank you to the two policemen who helped us.
"Without them we would never have got there on time and the day would have been a disaster."
13 Comments
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by Steven, Bristol
Wednesday, October 01 2008, 12:19PM
“Sorry I mistyped. I should of said '10 years'”
by Steven, Bristol
Wednesday, October 01 2008, 12:18PM
“People who drive old cars are invariably chavs who have no MOT, insurance or even road tax. Removing all cars over 190 years old from the roads will cure the problem.”
by John Berry, Bristol
Tuesday, September 30 2008, 4:40PM
“STEVEN,Ref cars over 10 years old,what do you think the M.O.T is for ?????.”
by ferg, bs3
Tuesday, September 30 2008, 3:58PM
“Steven, you are an idiot too...”
by Steven, Bristol
Tuesday, September 30 2008, 3:44PM
“Ferg, Speed in itself does not kill. Irresponsible and stupid speed can kill.
The probelm is that the Police should not be targetting drivers for going 5 miles over the limit on straight roads, dual carriage weays or motorways. They need to target the idiots who speed in built-up areas, in areas known rfor pedestrains (Kingswood High Street for expample or past nusrseries, schools or hospitals.
Not only should they crack down on drivers who speed irresponsibly but also on those drivers who speed in clapped out bangers unable to handle it.
Any car over 10 years old (unless registered as vintage or classic) should be removed from the roads on safety grounds.”
by ferg, bs3
Tuesday, September 30 2008, 3:30PM
“Dave, you dont like the idea of the Police targeting speeding motorists!!! What a foolish person you are, how many children have to die before you see the error of your ways?”
by Ali, Bristol
Tuesday, September 30 2008, 1:30PM
“Case of damned if they do, damned if they dont. At least it was a police car and not an ambulance or fire engine!”
by Paul, Kingsway, Bristol
Tuesday, September 30 2008, 1:23PM
“Good on the police for helping where it was needed but I must ask the question who is going to investigate them for speeding? :-p (tongue in cheek)”
by Steve, Bristol
Tuesday, September 30 2008, 12:06PM
“People on this and other websites routinely moan abouit the Police wasting money upholding the law.
That being the case, where are the posts querying whether the Police invoiced the bride and groom for the time the officers were not actually fighting crime, the petrol used and the wear and tear on a Police vehicle?”
by Dave, Bristol
Tuesday, September 30 2008, 10:40AM
“Refreshing to see them showing compassion instead of targeting speeding motorists, arresting a man for simply taking a picture of them parking illegally etc, list goes on, as i say it is refreshing too see the police in a positive caring manner. well done.”