Stuck drivers thank snow hero Amanda (From Bucks Free Press)

Cryers Hill woman helps trapped motorists

11:52am Wednesday 6th January 2010 in News By Andy Carswell

TRAPPED motorists have thanked a Cryers Hill woman who put them up for the night after getting stuck in the snow.

Amanda Dray took in 15 drivers who couldn't go any further after being trapped by heavy snowfall in the county on December 21.

Many returned to give presents to the self-employed designer and several have swapped telephone numbers to stay in touch with her.

Ms Dray said: “It felt like a bit of a daydream, going out and rescuing people. I couldn't bear the thought of people being out in their cars all night.

“It was really coming down and people were abandoning their cars already at 4.30pm. There were cars everywhere, I couldn't believe it. They were four deep outside my house. Nobody could move.

“I was inviting people in just to warm up. Some didn't know what they were going to do. Some were going to walk home. In the end I said, 'You'd better stay the night'.”

Some drivers tried digging their cars out as Ms Dray handed out bacon butties and cups of tea and coffee.

The last person left at 3.30pm the next day after finally getting their vehicle free.

Ms Dray's daughter, six-year-old Millie, was sad to see the visitors leave.

“My daughter was so excited seeing so many people,” said Ms Dray. “She was asking if people could stay for a party.”

She added: “It was just a lovely atmosphere in here. They didn't know each other but were all helping each other, digging people out the next day.

“It made my Christmas because I met such lovely people.”

She said: “I hadn't noticed any gritters going up the hill. One came at about two in the morning.”

One stuck driver was Dean Valler, who had to ditch his silver Citroen Picasso halfway up Cryers Hill trying to get home to Harrow at 8pm.

The 32-year-old Communications Officer at Bucks New University broke down behind the car of kind-hearted Kathy Gibbs, of Hare Lane, Little Kingshill, who allowed him to stay the night at her and husband Roy’s home and even treated him to dinner.

Initially, they were all also given tea, biscuits and sandwiches by Ms Dray.

Mr Valler said: “It was like a scene from a disaster movie in Cryers Hill.

“So many people were abandoning their cars by the side of the road because it was so difficult to drive up the hill.

“I was extremely lucky to run into some fantastic people who helped me out in my time of need. Their generosity was amazing.

“It was a definitely an example of people clubbing together and showing some good old-fashioned British hospitality.”

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