Every so often something happens in life that can either knock your faith in human-kind or restore it. VB reader Kathy Kinnersly experienced both yesterday. She shares her story with readers and explains why she thinks Sam from Shaw’s Garage in Ryde is a modern day hero. Ed
I was driving yesterday morning to Ryde with my three year old daughter in the car and suddenly my car completely cut out at one of the main traffic lights on route.
I was at the front of the queue holding up all the traffic (I should point out at this stage that I am five months pregnant and was unable to push my car myself).
A kind man in the car behind offered to push me into a nearby driveway, clearing the road fairly swiftly.
Get off my land!
I had been in the driveway a matter of minutes – getting the AA details out to call them and my Mum to come and collect my daughter – when the owner of the house stormed out of his house and opened my car door and told me to get off his land (he used stronger language that I won’t share here)!
I was so shocked. I got out of my car and explained that it was totally dead and I wish I could move it, but I couldn’t. He just continued shouting at me, saying I was trespassing and had no right to be there.
I was in such shock that someone could talk to any one like that, let alone a pregnant woman with a small child in the car.
He was literally trying to push my car out of his gate with me and my daughter in it onto the busy road.
Ran away for refuge
I just put on my hand brake and told him to stop. We ended up leaving the car on his drive way and I had to run with my daughter along the main road for refuge.
The end of this story is that he left, I managed to re connect my battery through my floods of tears and got it to Shaw’s Garage in Ryde.
Tale of two ends
This is my main reason for writing this story. Sam Shaw was such a gentleman – he really calmed me down and told me he would sort out my car for me, if I came back in an hour it would all be OK.
When I got back he had mended my battery, replaced a broken number plate and had my car valeted inside and out AND he wouldn’t take a penny.
He really is a modern day HERO and in his actions he totally restored my faith in human kind.
