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icSurreyOnline - Deaf need an improved 999 service,says rescued man
A DEAF Reigate man who became trapped on the side of a hill and was forced to cling to a tree above a sheer drop has criticised the lack of facilities for deaf people when calling 999.
Ted Pottage and a group of walkers became trapped on the side of Box Hill after taking a wrong turn and wandering off the track while out walking.
The four adults,all in their 50s, suddenly realised they were unable to turn around, but could not go forward either.
They were forced to hang on to a tree above a sheer drop down to the River Mole and wait for fire crews to rescue them.
Describing the situation, Mr Pottage,of Croydon Road, said: "I was very worried for my friend who became frozen and could not move at one point. I only rang the emergency services once everyone was safe from slipping.
Criticising the 999 facilities, Mr Pottage added: "I cannot lip read by phone so calling 999 was very difficult as there is still no SMS for deaf people."
A spokesman from Surrey Fire and Rescue's call centre reported receiving a call from a distressed woman at about 1pm on Friday September 14.
He said: "They were clinging to a tree when they rang the fire brigade from a mobile phone.It is almost a sheer drop down into the river from there. If you don't know that area you can get into a lot of trouble."
It took two fire crews and a specialist search and rescue team more than two hours to get the group to safety.
The search and rescue team, usually called in to rescue people from caves, moved to the National Trust car park at the top of the hill where they were able to lower ropes down to the group.
They were then able to rescue the group, one at a time, by abseiling with them down the chalk face rather than pulling them to the top of the hill.
Mr Pottage said the mistake happened because they were following an old map.
A DEAF Reigate man who became trapped on the side of a hill and was forced to cling to a tree above a sheer drop has criticised the lack of facilities for deaf people when calling 999.
Ted Pottage and a group of walkers became trapped on the side of Box Hill after taking a wrong turn and wandering off the track while out walking.
The four adults,all in their 50s, suddenly realised they were unable to turn around, but could not go forward either.
They were forced to hang on to a tree above a sheer drop down to the River Mole and wait for fire crews to rescue them.
Describing the situation, Mr Pottage,of Croydon Road, said: "I was very worried for my friend who became frozen and could not move at one point. I only rang the emergency services once everyone was safe from slipping.
Criticising the 999 facilities, Mr Pottage added: "I cannot lip read by phone so calling 999 was very difficult as there is still no SMS for deaf people."
A spokesman from Surrey Fire and Rescue's call centre reported receiving a call from a distressed woman at about 1pm on Friday September 14.
He said: "They were clinging to a tree when they rang the fire brigade from a mobile phone.It is almost a sheer drop down into the river from there. If you don't know that area you can get into a lot of trouble."
It took two fire crews and a specialist search and rescue team more than two hours to get the group to safety.
The search and rescue team, usually called in to rescue people from caves, moved to the National Trust car park at the top of the hill where they were able to lower ropes down to the group.
They were then able to rescue the group, one at a time, by abseiling with them down the chalk face rather than pulling them to the top of the hill.
Mr Pottage said the mistake happened because they were following an old map.
