Here's the story, I'll try to make it short: Friday night, I was talking to a friend on the phone; she lives 500 kilometers away. Suddenly there was silence in the line. I asked a few times if she was still there, but no response. Assuming that our phone line was just interrupted (which sometimes happens when we talk), I hung up and tried to call her back, which is our usual procedure in such cases. But the line was still busy. I tried calling several times, surprised that she didn't try to call me back, but everytime I tried to reach her, I got a busy line, so it was obvious she didn't hang up her phone. Getting worried, I tried calling her cell phone instead. No one picked up. After 15 or 20 minutes, I got really worried. Knowing she had suffered from a so-called TIA in 2009 (transient ischaemic attack, some people call it a mini-stroke), I really feared something had happened, as people with a TIA in their medical history have a higher risk to get a "real" stroke. And I had no idea if her 14 year old son was at home as he sometimes stays with a friend over night.
To make it short, I called the cops in her district town, telling them I was worried and asked them to send a patrol car to find out if she's okay. The cop on the phone told me to do so; and I was here at home, turning more and more into a nervous wreck because I was really worried. About half an hour later, my friend called. Huge relief to hear her voice, but then I learned that they sent not only the police, but also an ambulance, an ER doctor, and the fire brigade. Obviously, the cops arrived first, but when no one opened the door when they rang, they called all the others. The fire fighters eventually broke open her door - just to find her sleeping. She woke up when all these people entered her apartment. Go figure! She simply fell asleep while we talked (geez, I must be a boring person to talk to! lol), and - as it turned out - she cannot hear the door bell in her bedroom) but she was alright. That's the good part of it.
The bad part, however, is that she got a bill about 500 € today (that's about 600 $US), not only for the broken lock, but also for the fire brigade, as it's been a false alarm. I'm feeling sooo very bad for causing her so much trouble, but everyone's telling me I did right and had no other choice in that case, especially with her medical background. But I think it's horrible that she hasn't done anything - except falling to sleep - and now has to pay such a horrendous bill! I offered her to pay a part of it, and she declined, but some of her friends obviously expect me to pay. I would gladly pay this bill if I wasn't living in poverty already, and I still have a vet bill to pay... I really feel horrible for all this!My friend is going to raise an objection, and I hope she'll succeed with that. I'm really feeling awful, and I don't know what I will do the next time I fear someone could be in trouble. Do nothing and risking a person's life?
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by caseysmom
at my feet
Many areas are starting to bill the parents for the costs. One kid phoned in saying he was out in the bay in a canoe and had dropped his paddle, couldn't get back, then shut off his phone. Coast Guard searched for 2 hours while police worked to backtrack the phone - to a private home! 
Bookmarks