While most Islanders were tucked safely inside during Storm Goretti’s peak, one 30-year-old man in Guernsey decided to ignore official guidance – not to mention the law – by downing five-pints-worth of booze and heading out in his car.
Bailiwick Law Enforcement said the unnamed motorist, who has been branded a “thoughtless idiot” on social media, then crashed his car on the Rohais de Haut, as gusts of over 80mph were tearing down trees, walls and roofs.
Police arrested the man at about 22:20 for drink driving.
Officers said a custody reading showed he had three times the legal limit of alcohol in his system – equivalent to 12 units or about five pints of lager for an average man.
“This is a reminder that we will continue to enforce the law and protect the public, even during major incidents,” a police spokesperson said.
Proud of emergency services and volunteers
Police said the response of the emergency services and volunteers highlighted their “resilience, professionalism and teamwork” as they worked to keep islanders safe.
A spokesperson said the Joint Emergency Services Control Centre (JESCC) managed about 450 calls between 18:00 on Thursday and 11:55 on Friday – including 146 emergency 999 calls.
The calls were handled “tirelessly under immense pressure” by just six staff, which the spokesperson hailed as a “remarkable” effort.
Volunteers including Guernsey Civil Protection helped with the response.
“We are incredibly proud of their dedication and professionalism,” they added.
The ambulance service responded to 10 emergency calls, two of which were storm related.
In Alderney the ambulance service remained on high alert, but “fortunately did not need to respond to storm-related incidents”, the spokesperson said.
They said they were “deeply grateful” to business who supported the response, Guernsey Civil Protection volunteers and the public.
“It will take time, but together we will recover,” they said.
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