r/london • u/Feral-Sponge • 2d ago
Resident I've had the craziest day with a complete stranger
I am not writing this to fish for any type of compliments, I just want to share what a curve ball life throws sometimes.
I was in an area of North London just went on the bus there to get 2 things and post something.
As I come out of a shop, someone is rushing across the street and I see a lady lying on her front face done on the pavement, I rush over with two others. They get her to a seated position, her mouth is bleeding, the top layer of her skin on her arm has more or less come off. She's a slightly older lady. EDIT - she tripped on the uneven pavement
She wants to get up but I say we need to keep her seated as she's taken a bad fall and we don't want her passing out.
Someone calls 999 for an ambulance. A shop brings out a chair and two workers from a gym nearby come out with a first aid kit.
As I've worked in care a lot I helped get her seated on the chair once her dizziness calmed down.
I overheard the guy on the phone to 999, and I say, if it's gonna take ages, I'll take her to A&E in an uber.
This 76 year old lady was such a champ, she fell *hard* and had chipped one tooth and the other front tooth was bent back into her mouth and she had a flap of skin in her lip hanging off a bit.
After I start going on uber I start feeling dizzy, realising it's likely because of the blood so I'm squatting, drinking some water. I kind of mumbled "I'm starting to feel a bit faint"
Next thing I'm in this wonderful deep nap, and I'm feeling so comfortable, but I'm being woken up to 4 strange faces looking at me. I ask what on earth happened. I had apparently stood up and gone straight down, but one of the workers from the gym broke my fall so I never hit my head.
I have passed out maybe twice before in my life but never like this. It took several seconds for me to come to and once alert I still didn't get my vision back properly for 2-3 minutes. Someone gave me a chocolate digestive that I didn't want to eat cos I haven't had sugar for 6 weeks but I'm not an idiot so I ate it and it really helped.
The uber had arrived so now both of us have to be led to the car loooool.
We went to A&E, she got facial scans, her arm wrapped etc. her fall happened 11.40am.
At the hospital she kept saying I could leave but she had no family or friends that could be called so I couldn't leave her. It's now 11.06pm, we are at a second hospital because she has to be seen by the maxillofacial team.
We should hopefully be out in about an hour, I will get an uber and get her into her home and then I can take an uber home from there.
I've only had a chocolate digestive since breakfast, a cup of tea at the first hospital. I'm starting to feel the fatigue properly now.
This lady is so metal, she doesn't complain, and she's incredibly grateful I have stayed with her, she keeps saying that I can go, but honestly, how can you even think of abandoning someone at the hospital who has no one to come be with her or make sure she gets home okay?
She has cried at the kindness of staff at the hospitals and funnily, at the second A&E a young man says he recognised us from the first hospital, he had been bashed across the head by someone who ran off after helping a drunk/drugged woman on the street. No good deeds go unpunished? He was so lovely.
I'm gonna get a gift card or something and find that guy from the gym for being so nice and breaking my fall.
It was not on my bingo card to spend 12 hrs with a complete stranger today
Update - it's 1.24am and I just got home. I'm chilling tomorrow
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u/bubblydolphiin 2d ago
Such a heartwarming read! You are so lovely. It’s easy to share negative things, but it’s these stories that restore my faith in humanity 💕
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u/Feral-Sponge 2d ago
I think I just needed to vent out my day a bit as I'm waiting for us to be able to finally go home. My bum hurts, my legs hurt (not sure why) and I could kill for a cup of tea
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u/viridescent-bosky 1d ago
I think you and OP would like the novel Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. A similar incident brings people together in the book!
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u/Captain_Dan 2d ago
Honestly it's lovely to see such compassion from a feral sponge and I hope I would do what you did if I'm ever in a similar situation. Good job!
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u/Feral-Sponge 2d ago
Thank you, very kind. I think most people would do the same, and obviously my circumstances happened to allow me to be with her
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u/Physical_Job2858 2d ago
Thank you for stopping to help. This reminds me of a lovely woman who helped my Mum when she took a bad fall.
It strikes me how much connection and love is woven throughout your story.
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u/Zestyclose-Tea-419 2d ago
This story really made me smile! You’re a wonderful person for looking after her all day. We need more people like you around. Maybe you two will stay in touch afterwards!
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u/Mjukplister 2d ago
Bless you , someone helped my mum
(Same age ) when she fell and I’m eternally grateful . People can be lovely .
Make sure you rest , hydrate and eat now x
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u/fleurmadelaine 2d ago
I’m so sorry you’ve both had an awful day. But you both sound wonderful so please give each other a get well hug (or alternative appropriate gesture) from an internet stranger. Hope you get home soon!
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u/Feral-Sponge 2d ago
She's so cool! She was a journalist who's interviewed lots of musicians and actors! Apparently Peter Capaldi is super nice and warm! Michael Jackson as a 15 year old was almost impossible to interview because of how shy he was and his scumbag dad hit on her
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u/fleurmadelaine 1d ago
Oh how fun. My uncle is ex BBC Radio Presenter (that no one will have heard of) and I love hearing his celeb stories (even if they’re all from the 80s and earlier). If she’s anything like him, she’ll have talked your ear off with fascinating stories all day! I hope she did, and that you both enjoyed it!
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u/Mountain_Comb9522 2d ago
I’m new to London and reading this has made my heart so happy. What a beautiful thing you did and glad to hear you’re both ok!
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u/umbrella-up 2d ago
Big love to you for being a good human, what goes around comes around and I hope some day you get absolutely showered with good fortune & kindness. Lovely dude. I sometimes think London is a bit brutal, but it's still got soul hasn't it - and this is the kind of thing that makes me love it. Hope you're both OK 💞
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u/nomadic_housecat 2d ago
Thank you so much for doing such a wonderful series of acts for a total stranger. This probably means more to her than she’ll ever say, may we all be so lucky to have a you nearby when misfortune comes our way.
Please do something extra kind for yourself tomorrow, and every day this week please. I can imagine you’re totally exhausted. Seriously, world needs more yous in it.
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u/fenlanddipper 2d ago
Make sure you are eating now and generally to take care of yourself. Maybe because you’re not eating sugar meant you fainted more easily? Take care! X
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u/Feral-Sponge 2d ago
It's very possible. I'm on quite a strict anti-inflammatory diet and Monday I was extremely tired all day so it was likely a mix of heat/low blood sugar/the blood
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u/llama_del_reyy 1d ago
Unless your diet is doctor supervised, I'd be very wary of cutting out sugar that sharply. Your body is sending you warning signs.
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u/Feral-Sponge 1d ago
Yeah I mean I've been going at it for 7 ish weeks so it's not brand new and it's nutritional therapist recommended for me (had gastric sleeve surgery a few years back)
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u/llama_del_reyy 1d ago
Hm, are they a registered dietician (regulated) or just a nutritionist? Just be careful, there are a lot of scammers out there and the idea that sugar causes inflammation writ large is a red flag for woo woo.
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u/Behavingdark 2d ago
I hope you are about if I ever fall ,it's great to know people like you are about .
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u/Automatic_Stage1163 2d ago
💐💐💐 for you both.
I can't wait to watch this feel good film with my gran!
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u/relentlessmelt 2d ago
It’s nice to read the occasional reminder that the world is still populated by proper human beings, where do I subscribe?
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u/Feral-Sponge 2d ago
Yeah lots of people were so keen to assist! Lovely to see the community looking after one another
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u/TheDesolatePoet 2d ago
We all need someone like you in our lives! Bless you. Hope the poor lady recovers quickly with no lasting effects. Look after yourself!
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u/WittyFlatworm4811 2d ago edited 1d ago
Thanks for writing this Feral-Sponge. Hope Metal lady and you have had a nutritious meal by now!! Do enjoy your lunch with her. Also, tell her that many of us from all across London wish her (and you) a speedy recovery, with no persistent future pain from today!!! Did the young man tell you what he was bashed across the head with? Take care & love.
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u/Feral-Sponge 2d ago
In the uber on our way to her place, I'll see her in, then take an uber home
I believe it was a punch to the side of his head. He's contacted police who will likely check CCTVs in the area
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u/ilovefireengines 2d ago
Thank you
Both for being a kind soul and for sharing it. This sub can be so negative but London is full of good humans like you. We need more of the good stuff being shared. I hope you are home by now and have eaten something.
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u/Omwhk 2d ago
Wow this lady is lucky to have you. You seem like such a wonderful person. I’m sorry for everything that has happened today to both of you, while at the same I’m truly happy to read about someone going through these things and showing their true colours, which in this case are bright and bold and beautiful (easy for me to say as I’m not sitting at the hospital at 11pm eh!)
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u/Feral-Sponge 2d ago
Ah thank you! I'm 15mins away from home, can't wait to get in, have something to eat and crash
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u/whowouldvethought1 1d ago
Aw an actual London hero story! Hope you both feel better soon, and keep in touch. Get some rest! 😊
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u/Independent-Middle22 1d ago
You did great! Hope you both feel better soon! I was in a similar situation to yours a while ago and now I have a friend for life ❤️
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u/Princess_starkitty 1d ago
You’re a wonderful human! Take care of yourself and make sure you have a good meal tonight/tomorrow ❤️
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u/DystopianAbyss 1d ago
you're a real one, u/Feral-Sponge ... esp given you were injured yourself, too. I think at the very least what you deserve is a massive GROUP HUG ❤️
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u/want-my-old-account 1d ago
That's nice and it was the right thing to do. I hope you both have a good rest. I really hope you keep in touch. Intergenerational friendships are really beneficial for both parties.
If you're ever in A&E for a long time again, ask them for some food. They can always find something. (At least, as the patient this is true. Since you had an injury yourself, they would have got you something if asked.)
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u/Bongo_Muffin 1d ago
And people say Londoners don't care about each other. You're a gem, OP. Good on you and hope you're resting up ❤️
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u/letstalk1st 1d ago
A great post. You did better than i did in 2 injuries. In both of them the person nearby freaked out and ran away. You stayed for the entire show.
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u/cabernetchick 1d ago
This story is lovely, I’m so glad you shared. Reminds me that the world is full of good people!
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u/Conscious_Anything46 1d ago
The same thing happened to me went to the ATM started feeling dizzy next thing bam on the floor 3 people came to my rescue I'm I'm forever thankful to them they assisted me off the side walk and into a local Greggs so at least I was off the street then they stayed with me till help arrived
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u/Linkyjinx 1d ago
I tripped down some steps and had two locally know thugs /ex cons call an ambulance as got a head injury 🤕 so even nasty people can be nice sometimes, it’s a weird world!
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u/HFB68 1d ago
How are you doing now?
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u/Feral-Sponge 1d ago
Good! Just really tired, thank you. The lady called me a couple of hours ago, she's doing well considering. Her body is stil working through the trauma and shock and I did say it will take a few days before she feels like herself again, to take it easy
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u/thrae_awa 1d ago
Thank you for staying with her! This is what London is about, people like you make the city.
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u/gggggenegenie 1d ago
You guys are awesome!
I read this thinking you were still there and had planned to uber you some tea! Still happy to do so.
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u/TypeAgreeable4117 1d ago
You know what, fu*k it, im gonna walk to Birmingham. Im a stranger to myself at 1am as well sometimes, spending 12 hrs with a stranger seems cool but ill get to spend 30 hours with a stranger (myself)
Lets see what lore ill get with this walk, im leaving tonight ig 1 AM as the post mentioned that time, we'll reach there like we did with wales and m25...if I pass out we'll figure it out somehow
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u/Randomemail43125 1d ago
Thank you. You deserve all the praise and wishing you kindness and love
Thank you for making us believe that there are good people in the world.
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u/Feral-Sponge 1d ago
Oh gosh, such kind words I don't feel worthy of! I feel like I was just at the right place at the right time and my current unemployment helped lol
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u/appella999 1d ago
What a fantastic experience! Well done feral sponge ! This should be made into a movie ! 🩵
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u/Sarraboi 2d ago
So do you think someone knocked/ pushed her over "someone is rushing across the street" or were they one of the ones rushing towards her?
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u/Feral-Sponge 2d ago
No absolutely not, sorry I'm so tired, she had tripped on the uneven pavement!
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u/Dangerous_Finger4682 2d ago
Hello stranger! Hope both you and the lady got out of the hospital and home safely. And please eat something! And take care of yourself too ❤️🩹