Cambridgeshire Police have successfully rescued 12 people, including five children, from the back of a lorry after a desperate 999 call was made by one of the individuals trapped inside. The caller, who had only 1% battery remaining on his phone, pleaded for help, telling the operator, “We are dying, can you save us?”
The dramatic rescue unfolded when the man managed to contact emergency services, despite his phone’s nearly depleted battery. In the chilling audio released by Cambridgeshire Police, the man is heard saying, “We need help, please, ma’am. We are dying, can you help us please?”
The operator, maintaining a calm and professional demeanour, reassured the man that officers were actively searching for the lorry. The man, who was unable to identify the vehicle’s location, described the harrowing conditions inside the lorry, mentioning that there were pregnant women among them and that they had been banging on the sides of the vehicle for hours in an attempt to alert the driver.
Acting swiftly, Cambridgeshire Police located the lorry in Alconbury Weald, near Huntingdon. Inside, they found 12 people, including children aged between 15 and 17, crammed at the top of pallets of fruit. Fortunately, all were unharmed, though they were cold and frightened. Ambulance crews on the scene provided the group with food and drink, and conducted health checks to ensure their safety.
A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police explained the urgency of the situation: “The man had just 1% battery left on his phone and was concerned for the welfare of everyone on board. Thankfully, we managed to locate the lorry, and we’re pleased to say no one was harmed.”
The driver of the lorry was initially arrested on suspicion of human trafficking but was later released with no further action. Meanwhile, the children have been placed under police protection as the investigation continues.
The swift and coordinated response by the emergency services has been widely praised, with members of the public commending the 999 call handler’s calm and efficient management of the situation. The incident has underscored the critical importance of swift communication and decisive action in life-threatening scenarios.
As investigations proceed, authorities are focused on understanding the full circumstances surrounding this alarming case, with a continued emphasis on the safety and well-being of those rescued.
