Man walks 18 miles through snow storm to get to work

Dedication: Peter Cartwright
Georgina Littlejohn13 April 2012

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.

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.

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