One of the most annoying things that can happen during a road trip is missing a turn off. Sometimes a GPS map will make you think that you're continuing straight on, but it later turns out you were supposed to take an exit, and you're stuffed until it reroutes.
Usually that tiny mishap might inconvenience you for a couple of minutes at best, unless of course you're the pensioner who got lost while travelling through the south-west of England. They were driving through Cornwall and somehow managed to end up in Gloucester - a mere three-hour journey.
The elderly person was reported missing from Camborne when they didn't return home from what was supposed to be a short trip. According to Cornwall Live, the motorist made a right turn on the A30, and travelled northward until they were picked up by police.
Police from four jurisdictions - Cornwall, Devon, Avon and Somerset - teamed up with the highway patrol to help find the person. Cornwall Police tweeted at 4am: "Great collaborative effort to locate lost elderly person from Camborne who ended up driving to Gloucester by mistake."
It's a similar mistake that happened to an English grandma earlier this year, when she drove 300 miles to Scotland after missing a turn-off - as you do.
Valerie Johnson's trip should have only taken ten minutes, but instead she was on the road for eight hours. Apparently, she didn't realise how much time had passed and carried on driving until the early hours of the morning.
The 83-year-old had attended an appointment at Worcestershire Royal Hospital and started her journey back home. It should've only been six miles, but she was confused by roadworks and diverted away from her normal route. She eventually kept heading north on the M5 and M6.
Her adventure only came to a standstill when she ran out of petrol at 12.40am on 5 May. Her family had already reported her missing and were incredibly worried.
Credit: Google Maps
Luckily, a couple in Larkhall had noticed her car outside - they went over and invited Valerie into their home, where she stayed for the night. Sergeant John McLeish at Larkhall police office told the Daily Record: "A local couple assisted Valerie and she informed them that she was lost.
"The couple called the police at Larkhall who contacted West Mercia Police to inform her family. Local officers called an ambulance to ensure she did not require any medical attention.
"The local couple very kindly looked after the woman, ensuring that she was comfortable until her relatives arrived from England to collect her."
These things happen.
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Sources: Cornwall Live, Daily Record
Topics: Driving, Pensioner, Motorway
