Woman whisked off by runaway scooter

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

• 87-year-old dozing at the wheel
• Found eight kilometres from home

An 87-year-old woman went missing in action when her scooter took off at full-tilt, and whisked her away from her husband.

Eileen Bishop, from Perranporth, Cornwall, was on her way to church with husband Anthony when her scooter sped off and carried her out of sight.

"I shouted after her but she is a bit deaf," Mr Bishop told the BBC. "I couldn't chase her as I've had a triple heart bypass."

Police found Mrs Bishop swerving across the road eight kilometres from her home. Mrs Bishop admitted she was half-asleep when her scooter sped off.

Michael Ginnelly, a police community support officer, took an hour to ride the "out-of-control" scooter back to Mr and Mrs Bishops' home. Finding the scooter in good, if slow, working order, he said, "I think Mrs Bishop just gripped the controls and went too fast and held on for dear life."

When was the last time police stopped you for driving badly? Leave your comment below.

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