Carol Aldred slipped on a manhole cover in Helston

Carol Aldred slipped on a manhole cover in Church Hill while out walking with a friend, leaving a PSCO with no choice but to direct traffic around her on Wednesday.

Husband Roderick, who has lived with Carol in Tremenheere Avenue for many years, said: "The officer spoke to his inspector to try and get help but the 30-odd ambulances that could have been available were out on jobs.

"She slipped and fell backwards and thought she might have broken her hip, as well as banging her head. She couldn't be moved in case it was serious."

Passers-by and nearby residents brought cups of tea, duvets and blankets, as the community rallied around the 62 year-old.

Roderick and son Jon, from Mabe, have also praised an off-duty South African doctor from St Michael's Hospital, who stopped and comforted Carol while she waited for help.

When the ambulance did arrive, she was taken to Treliske Hospital in Truro, where she endured a further three or four hours in a corridor waiting to be seen.

"There were ten ambulances parked outside the A & E department which were told not to unload their patients because it was so busy inside. It was just terrible," said Roderick.

"It's the same every year during holiday time and I can't see an end to it. There are more and more houses being built but Treliske is not getting any bigger.

"There is a lack of information for tourists so if they have a minor injury they all seem to go to Treliske, but there are lots of smaller hospitals that could treat them."

Thankfully Carol's hip was bruised rather than broken and she is recovering from concussion at home.

The Royal Cornwall Hospital's A & E department was placed on black alert last week after treating hundreds of patients during the half term week. 

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