Snow Stopping Neal as Basingstoke grinds to a halt

Whilst many motorists were beaten by the Arctic conditions that swept through Basingstoke earlier this week, there was to be ‘snow’ stopping Neal White as he battled the blizzards to get home... in his wheelchair.

Faced with traffic chaos outside Mercedes-Benz of Basingstoke’s Houndmills showroom, where he is employed as Workshop Controller, Neal displayed an ice cool temperament and a steely determination to overcome the elements and complete his three-mile homeward journey to Chineham.

“As I couldn’t get my Vauxhall out of the car park, the choice was to wait for the traffic and bad weather to subside but as there seemed no chance of either, I decided that the only way to get home was under my own steam,” said Neal, who has been in a wheelchair since breaking his back in a motocross accident 15 years ago.

Accompanied by colleague and fellow Chineham resident, Technician Adam Love, the intrepid duo made their great escape, overtaking gridlocked motorists to reach their destination in just one hour and 10 minutes.

“For most of the journey, Adam was hanging onto the back of my wheelchair and skating behind me and there was only one place where he had to assist me getting up a high kerb,” recalled Neal. “It was hard going in places – particularly on paths where the snow had not been disturbed by cars or pedestrians and I had to ‘wheely’ to get through.

“If my wheelchair had got some of the features like the latest Mercedes-Benz have, such as ESP (Electronic Stability Program) or anti-lock brakes, I may well have got home even sooner,” he smiled. “Nevertheless I’m glad I took the decision to battle the elements as I was back home with friends and enjoying a refreshing pint hours before many of my colleagues had reached their houses.”

Paul Thrower, Mercedes-Benz of Basingstoke’s After Sales Director, said: “As he has shown in the seven years that he has been with us, Neal has never been one to be held back not even by the worst weather conditions that some of us have ever seen. His determination to achieve the goals he sets himself is an inspiration to us all.”