TWO taxi drivers have saved the lives of an elderly couple who were unaware of a major carbon monoxide leak in their home.

Claire Kent and Clare Sutherland, of Anytime Taxis, in Liskeard, had become concerned about the health of former Royal Marine Ken Webb and his partner Jean Howarth, who are regular customers.

Clare said that the couple didn't seem to be their usual selves and came across as a bit confused, which was out of character.

'We received a call from Ken to book a taxi and he sounded very confused,' she said. 'We talked about it afterwards and felt concerned enough to pay them a friendly visit just to check up on them that evening. They still seemed confused. When we got home, for some reason, the words "carbon monoxide poisoning" popped into our heads, probably because of all the recent publicity.

'We felt nervous about it in case we were wrong, and we didn't want to upset Ken and Jean, but we took the plunge and rang the gas emergency helpline. They responded immediately and called us back later that evening to say they had found a problem and had turned off the gas supply.'

Condemned

Claire said: 'We are now feeling very happy that we took the right decision and are feeling so relieved Ken and Jean are all right. We went around to see them and they were grateful for our intervention.'

The firm, All Gas Southwest, based in Saltash, went to the home of Ken, who is in his 80s, and Jean, 74, after receiving a call from the couple's grandson to say that Wales and West Utilities had cut off their gas supply.

Company director Mark Groom said: 'We are in no doubt that this was a very close call. We believe that the actions of the two drivers from Anytime Taxis saved the lives of these two people, for which they deserve recognition.

'We hope their actions will encourage other people who may find themselves in a similar situation to do something about it.'

Office manager Kaye Sutton said: 'Our engineer found that not only did the small property have an inaccessible gas leak but also a major carbon monoxide spillage from the boiler, which we immediately condemned. The couple living in the house told us they had both been to the doctor's suffering with headaches and lethargy. We sent a team of six around with a new boiler and parts.'

Jean, who is partially-sighted and still recovering, has nothing but praise for everyone concerned. She said she thought she had been sitting in the sun too long as she had been feeling dizzy and sick for some time.

'The gas company were very efficient, doing three days' work in one,' said Jean, 'and the two girls saved our lives. Ken and I can't thank them enough for what they did.

'We wouldn't have known anything and we would have been in our boxes by now. We didn't have a gas alarm but we will be getting one now.'

Liskeard mayor Sue Pike said: 'This is what makes South East Cornwall, and especially Liskeard, special. We all look out for one another, and Anytime Taxis through their quick and caring action for two of our elderly residents, has saved their lives.

'I urge anyone with a gas supply to make sure they have a carbon monoxide monitor.'