Binmen praised for helping elderly woman after fall

The team were praised by the council for their kindness

A woman whose elderly mother was helped by binmen after a fall said their kindness has "restored my faith in human beings".

Jaki Jones rushed out to ask for their help when she was unable to get her 92-year-old mother Maureen off the floor at her parents' home in Hyde, Tameside.

The three-men crew then helped lift Maureen, meaning an ambulance was not required, her daughter said.

"What they did was amazing – it may seem like only a small thing but it made all the difference to us as a family," Ms Jones, 64, said.

"They came to assist without any hesitation. They were beautiful with my mum and one of them even said to me afterwards that he really hoped that my mum would be all right, which really touched me."

Ms Jones and her sister help care for their mother, who had a stroke two years ago, and their 92-year-old dad Harry, who recently suffered a heart attack.

Maureen, pictured with her husband Harry at their home

Her parents receive a care support package, which enables them to live independently at home.

However, Ms Jones said: "My sister and I weren't aware that carers aren't allowed to lift people when they fall.

"I wasn't strong enough to get my mum up off the floor and desperately needed some help.

"The carers were there but they're not allowed to lift her, but they encouraged us to call an ambulance, and she said 'have you not got anybody else that can help you?'

"And I just went outside and saw the bin men."

Crew driver Kane Dillon, Scott Bail and Chris Bell then came to their aid.

Ms Jones said: "I'm so glad the crew were there at the right place at the right time to help and I'm really grateful to them for their caring actions.

"It's restored my faith in human beings."

Tameside Council said the elderly couple, who have been married for 71 years, were now in touch with the authority's community response service, a round-the-clock telephone and emergency response service, so they have more support going forward.

Laura Boyle, the council's executive member for neighbourhoods, added: "I'm so glad the crew were there at the right place at the right time to help and I'm really grateful to them for their caring actions.

"Thank you also to Jaki for sharing her thanks with them.

"Our bin crews are really hard working, as well as community minded, and this positive recognition is well deserved."