Morning:
6°c
Man walks 18 miles through snow storm to get to work
Georgina Littlejohn4 Feb 2009
A HOSPITAL technician walked 18 miles through a blizzard to get to work in London, it was revealed today.
Radiographer Peter Cartwright took eight and a half hours to go from Ashford in Kent to Guy's hospital on Monday as the snow caused transport chaos.
He got a train for part of the 54-mile journey, hitched two lifts and when all else failed, trudged on foot.
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Mr Cartwright, 52, who slept at the hospital on Monday and last night, said today: "I've not been home since. But they look after me well here."
Mr Cartwright pulled on his wellies and wrapped himself up before leaving his house at 5.30am on Monday.
He caught a train from Ashford to Maidstone and then trudged along the A20 to Borough Green where he got a lift in a car to Swanley. From there he walked to Eltham where he was given another lift to Rotherhithe by a motorist at a petrol station. He then walked to Bermondsey and jumped on one of the few trains on the Jubilee line to London Bridge, before finally arriving at the hospital at 2pm. The journey normally takes him about an hour and a half.
Mr Cartwright, who has worked at Guy's for 20 years, said the long journey was worth it, adding: "I like walking and I was warm and had food on me, so I was fine. I also didn't want to let anyone down.
"It's a wonderful place to work and I thoroughly enjoy it. Staff were sparse on Monday and I knew that if I didn't make it in there would be extra workload for my colleagues."
His wife Tina said he was so dedicated to his job he has stayed at the hospital. She said: "He didn't want to risk the weather conditions again so actually stayed there so he could be on time and do his job."
Temperatures will remain around 5C today, meaning standing snow is likely to melt. Overnight temperatures are set to drop below zero, raising concerns over ice in the morning. Rain and sleet expected to hit the capital tomorrow could wash away the ice during the day.
Reader views (16)
Well done sir! My mum works at Guy's and she applauds you.
- Lily, Oxford, 05/02/2009 12:40
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Always the Hero to get to work, what about the others? I told you London could airlift snowplows from this area for good military exercise.
- Jody Wigglesworth, New Wetminster, Canada, 05/02/2009 05:24
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Well done. As a fellow radiographer I tip my hat to you.
- A Finch, Peterborough, England, 04/02/2009 19:13
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God bless, in a world of me first, some people actually put others first. Its not for money or glory. Well done Mr Cartwright. Without people like you we have no inspiration or worthy goals to reach above our own selfish interests.
- Bondy, london, 04/02/2009 18:39
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He will probably get fired in the next round of job cuts,, but nice effort,,,,
- Stan Shaw, DeLand Florida USA, 04/02/2009 18:18
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I wonder how many of our overpaid Lords and Ladies walked more than a few yards to work on Monday? Silly me they can claim first class travel!
- Colin Macpherson, Gramat France, 04/02/2009 17:28
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If people want to see a great standard for an individuals dedication for their work, at work and an example of a work ethic then here he is. His story has everything, passion, dedication and compassion for others, GREAT.
- Philip, Cambridge - England, 04/02/2009 17:28
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Inspirational.
Well done mate, you're a fine example of what can be achieved through determination. I hope your bosses recognise your efforts.
- Les, woking,surrey, 04/02/2009 17:06
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Bless Mr Cartwright for his courage, stamina and devotion to duty. My daughter was threatening to walk the 20 miles to her place of work as a security officer when there was no reliable bus service, when her unsympathetic manager told her that if she didn't get to work then she would not be paid.
- Yvonne, Doncaster, UK, 04/02/2009 17:00
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Bravo - the country wouldn't be in the sorry mess it is if there were more people like Mr Cartwright.
- Adam, London, 04/02/2009 16:38
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Peter is the type of Hard working, dedicated and HONEST type of man we need to see in the House of Lords.I hope his name is in this years Birthday honours list,but I doubt it.Well Done Mate
- Selwyn Channon, epsom, 04/02/2009 16:38
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What an example to set. If more people had his work ethic, britain would be a far better place to live and work in. Just a genuine guy who puts the shirkers and the like to shame.
- Ian Dickson, dumfries scotland, 04/02/2009 16:31
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That's the spirit. My son walked 4 miles in the snow in an to attempt to get to school on Monday. Only to find when he got there that it as closed. Even some teachers who live localy didn't bother to make the effort, to walk to school.
This country is becoming a lazy country living on its past. We did that, and this, we are the best?
- A Winsley, london, 04/02/2009 16:20
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Thus proving himself a better man on lower wages than the pocket-liners at Westminster.
- Roz, Chamonix, France, 04/02/2009 16:16
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Good to see someone making a real effort to get to work and not turning around at the first hint of trouble - real old British spirit!
At my company, all the staff managed to get into work as well. Some travelled for hours and one injured himself but still continued the journey.
I work for public transport by the way - we are used to making our own way to work when there are no buses or trains running. We drive, ride motorbikes, cycle or walk.
However, having made the effort to get to work, there was little transport running due to lack of planning by the office workers and bean counters.
Typical.
- Jim, London, UK, 04/02/2009 16:08
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That is definitely going beyond the call of duty.
- Sarah Bradshaw, Enfield, Middx, 04/02/2009 15:50
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