Dad’s memorial service anguish (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Dad’s memorial service anguish

4:30pm Friday 26th June 2009

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A DAD who is a double amputee was unable to read a tribute at his son’s memorial service because the wrong kind of taxi was sent to take him.

Geoffrey Harris planned to read a tribute to his son Steven he had written specially for the service at St Thomas of Canterbury Church, in Worting, Basingstoke.

Mr Harris, of Watson Way, in Winklebury, Basingstoke, lost both his legs to diabetes and so needed a car that could carry him seated in his wheelchair.

His former wife Angela booked Basingstoke firm A1 Cars who said they would send a suitable cab. But when it arrived, its doors were too narrow. Mr Harris was forced to wait for another car from an Alton firm and missed reading his tribute.

The 65-year-old, who is currently at Alton Community Hospital awaiting an operation, said: “I was heartbroken when I saw the cab pull up. I knew I wouldn’t be able to get through its door.

“This was a memorial service for my youngest son and you only get one chance.

“We booked the cab two weeks in advance, and checked it two days before to be extra sure.

“I feel disgusted. It took me hours to write what I wanted to say about my son.”

Steven, who lived at Willoughby Way, in Winklebury, died aged 35 from a heart-attack in December 2007. He was a scaffolder who loved pool and darts and was the former couple’s younger son. At an inquest into his death, his parents were told he had undiagnosed heart disease.

The memorial service took place on May 23.

Steven’s mother Angela, of Britten Road, Basingstoke, said: “Obviously, there were volunteers from the family to pick up Geoffrey but none of our cars would’ve been able to fit him in with the chair.”

Director of A1 Cars, Greg Hilton, said: “I’m very sorry this has happened. At the time of the booking, we were not told that the wheelchair was wider than normal and therefore would not fit.

“All our carriages are designed to take wheelchairs and if we had known its size, we wouldn’t have taken the booking.”

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