group reports

Hanging there in the dark black void the moon shone down on the peaceful hamlet of Llwyncelyn in North Wales its inhabitants sleeping soundly unaware that within a few hours they would be headline news in the papers and on television all over the nation.

The following morning was warm and sunny not a cloud in the sky. Mr. Morgan the village postman was on his rounds delivering the mail, this didn't take very long as there were only twenty houses in the village, plus the pub, church, and his own Post Office.

As he approached No.10 Tynycai Place. David Llewellyn a young man 18 years old was sitting outside his front door in his wheelchair. David had had an accident on his motorcycle a year before and as a result was paralysed from the waist down. "Good morning Mr. Morgan, any letters for me today?" David belonged to Penfriends International and received letters from people from all over the World. This was his only enjoyment in life, except for his C.B. Radio, with which he could talk to people in a radius of 10 miles around Llwyncelyn.

"There's a letter for you today from America." replied Mr Morgan. He handed the letter to David, and David's face beamed, he so looked forward to receiving all the mail and answering all the people from all the different places.

When David opened the letter it was from someone new in America, her name was Christina Raines. As David read on it turned out that this young lady was the grand daughter of a millionaire LeRoy Raines. He had recently died and in his will he had made provisions for David to go to America to have an operation on his legs which might be able to make him walk again.

David just couldn't believe his eyes as he read the rest of the letter. He called his Dad and gave him the letter to read. Mr. Llewellyn sat on the bench outside the house in disbelief. There was a telephone number to ring, and as soon as possible. Mr. Llewellyn told David that he had to ring straight away. David remembered that America was about eight hours behind our time. So when he did ring it would have to be at a more convenient moment. As they didn't have a phone in the house he would have to go to the Post Office to make the call.

It was late afternoon when David went down to the Post Office to ring America. He explained the situation to Mr. Morgan the postmaster.

He told David to go into the living room to use their phone as it would be a little more private and quiet. David thanked him and wheeled himself through the door into the living room closing the door behind him.

He dialed the number and as he was waiting for an answer there was a loud crack, the living room door flung open and facing David was a man with a sawn off shot gun.

"Put the phone down!" he yelled at David. He quickly replaced the receiver not knowing if anyone had answered or not. The man came toward him and grabbing the wheelchair pushed him back into the Post Office. David could see Mr. Morgan's feet sticking out from behind the counter, there was some blood on the floor but David didn' t know if he was dead or injured.

The Gunman turned and opened fire at the public telephone on the wall in the Post Office shattering it into pieces all over the floor. The front door flung open and two other men entered, they saw David in the chair and said to the other man to get out quickly.

"What about him?" asked the man pointing to David. "Bring him with us." they shouted. The man grabbed hold of David in his chair and pushed him through the front door, as he did so the two small front wheels on the chair went over the front step and David was flung out on to the ground. "Leave him!" shouted the other man. The men jumped into a car which was standing outside the shop and it sped off down the road.

David had enough sense to note the number quickly and when they were out of sight wrote it down in the mud on the ground - NTG 364L. He crawled over to his wheelchair and managed to pull it upright and with a great effort struggled back into it.

He then wheeled himself back to his house and shouted for his father. Mr. Llewellyn was horrified to hear what had happened. David told his father to go to the Post Office to see if Mr. Morgan was alright or not. David then switched on his CB radio and put out a call asking for help. Within seconds someone answered him and he told them to contact the police and he gave them the number of the robbers car.

Later that day the police came and also some reporters. David and his father were taken down to the Post Office where Mr. Morgan was still in a state of shock but wasn't badly injured. Mr. Llewellyn had found him on the floor behind the counter when he went down earlier, but as the phone had been shattered he had to go back to the house and ask David to put out another call on his CB Radio for an ambulance. Mr. Morgan had been shot in the leg but after treatment was well enough to return home from the hospital.

When David told reporters why he had been in the Post Office at the time of the attempted robbery they thought it would make a good follow-up story. David was told that his prompt action giving out the number of the robbers car had helped the police apprehend the criminals and they were arrested and charged with attempted armed robbery.

David was driven to the nearest town, and the television company who had also been at the Llwyncelyn had paid for the call to America for David.

When David eventually spoke to Miss Raines he explained to her what had taken place the first time he tried to phone. She was only too glad to hear that he was alright, and also Mr. Morgan was on the mend. She told David that she would make arrangements for a private plane to be sent to fly him to America in the near future.

Llwyncelyn once again drifted off into slumber that night, David had helped to put some criminals behind bars. David took ages to get to sleep that night as he kept thinking what the future would hold for him, if the operation would be a success and if he would ever walk again.

The next morning in Llwyncelyn was just like any other but David was a celebrity, his name was known not only all over Wales but the story was mentioned on the national news also.

David awoke and dressed and the first thing he did was to wheel himself down to the Post Office to see how Mr. Morgan was after his ordeal. As he came near to the Post Office, he noticed that people who had found it awkward to speak to him as he was disabled, were suddenly passing the time of day and congratulating him. He really felt proud that he had saved the day and that the criminals were behind bars.

On reaching the Post Office, David asked one of the neighbours if they would give him a hand up the front step so that he could push himself into the Post Office. Behind the counter was Mr. Morgan serving the people as if nothing had happened. "Good morning David ! This is my hero of the day!" said Mr. Morgan to the customers in the shop. "Without his quick thinking I believe they would have got away with it. I have something else to tell you David my boy. This morning the Head Post Office sent a telegram to say that you are to get a reward for helping to get the robbers caught by the police so quickly."

David didn't know what to say, he was a little embarrassed about the whole affair. He told Mr. Morgan that things could have been a lot worse.

The engineers had come earlier and restored the phone line again, Miss Raines had rung to say that she was sending a private plane to Liverpool Airport in two days time to take David to America. David just couldn't believe his ears. Everyone in the shop were waiting on tender hooks to see what David would say. "I just can't believe this is all happening to me." replied David. Mr. Morgan said that it would be a honor for him to drive David and his father to Liverpool Airport for the flight.

David thanked him and said he would go and tell his father the good news as there was a lot to do. The next few days were busy getting everything ready for the trip to America.

The time eventually came for David to leave Llwyncelyn and as promised Mr. Morgan arrived in his car, David's father helped to get David in the car and put the wheelchair in the boot. Miss Raines had arranged for an attendant to be with David on the trip who was used to handling disabled people in wheelchairs. It was about a 2 hour drive to Liverpool airport and David was a little nervous about flying all this way as he had only flown once before to Spain on holiday with some mates from work.

After checking in at the airport, his father said his goodbyes to David and Mr. Morgan wished him all the best. The person who had been sent to bring David to America was used to handling disabled people and found no difficulty in getting David on board the private plane. David was strapped in for take off.

The person who was to be David's companion on the flight was named Scott Marshall, he was very tall and well built, he looked like an all American Football player. he told David that he had been employed by Miss Raines grandfather as a body guard after he had to give up playing professional American football due to an injury. David asked how long it would take to fly to America? "I think it takes around eight hours that if we don't hit any bad weather."

They had been flying for around an hour when David thought that the sound that the plane was making was a little odd. He was a little nervous but didn't mention it to his companion.

Suddenly the seat belt light came on above the door leading to the cockpit. "That's funny" said Scott, "I'll go and see what's up." He left David and when he returned he told him that the pilot had noticed something wrong with one of the engines so he said that they were going to land at Shannon in Ireland and get it checked out before going out into the Atlantic. It was then that David told Scott that he too thought there was something wrong. Scott could see that David was a little apprehensive and told him not to worry that it was only a precaution.

They landed safely at Shannon Airport and the plane taxied to a halt. David was lifted out of his seat and into his wheelchair, Scott said they would leave the plane while the engineers checked it out. The two of then went into the large departure lounge where other passengers on International flights would stay while waiting for their planes to be refueled.

Shannon Airport seemed a very busy place to David after the peace and quiet of Llwyncelyn. Scott went to get some coffee and sandwiches and told David that it wouldn't be very long before they were off again. As they were drinking their coffee an announcement came over the intercom, asking if Mr. Scott Marshall could please take a courtesy phone call. Scott left David and went over to the airline desk. He picked up the phone and David thought he looked a little apprehensive.

Scott returned and told David that the private plane had something seriously wrong and instead of them waiting for it to be repaired that arrangements had been made for them to transfer to a schedule flight with Aer Lingus for New York. On arrival another private plane would be waiting to take them on the rest of the journey.

David asked Scott, if it would be alright as he was in a wheelchair? "Yes, it's a 747 Jumbo Jet the aisles are very, very wide and in fact we have been booked in first class. Once we are airborne I will carry you up to the lounge if you will permit me to do so."

The flight number was called over the tanoy and David and Scott made their way to the departure gate. To fly in a 747 was a great experience for David, he had only ever flown in a small plane when they went to Spain on holiday and of course the private plane they had just left. They boarded the plane and David and Scott were in two seats near an aisle next to the centre doorway of the aircraft.

The plane started to taxi down the runway where it stopped and the huge engines the shuddered into full power, the plane started to speed down the runway. David closed his eyes as he thought they would never get off the ground. There must have been about three to four hundred people on the plane, as the front of the plane lifted off the ground ~ David could feel the top of his body being pushed back into his seat. It was as if the huge plane seemed to be hovering motionless in the sky. After a while the plane levelled off and the whine of the engines seemed to get more quiet.

Scott left David and went forward to see one of the air hostesses to ask if it was possible for David to be taken up to the lounge area as he thought he would be more comfortable. He came back and then carried David up the small spiral staircase that led to the lounge, and placed him on a small settee. Scott asked David if he would like a drink? "Could I have a lager please." Scott went to the bar, while he was there David looked around the lounge. At the far end of the lounge was a young girl about his own age and an older woman, also two men and a lady.

The young girl smiled at David and came down to talk to him. "Hello" she said "my name is Melanie Parker, is this your first trip to America?" "Yes." answered David. "I couldn't help noticing that you can't walk." said Melanie.

"Oh, I had an accident on my motorbike, and that's why I'm going to America to get an operation on my legs. We were in our own private plane but it had engine trouble so we transferred to this flight."

"No, it was sent for me by someone from America . They are paying for my operation on my legs. It was their grandfather who caused the accident last year on a visit to England."

It was then that Scott arrive with the drinks, David introduced Melanie to Scott, he asked her if she would like a drink? "No thank you," she said "I had better get back to my aunt. I would like to come and speak with you again if that's alright?" she asked David. "Thanks, that would be great, see you later then." Melanie rose and went back to her Aunt.

David and Scott sat quietly sipping their drinks. The three other people in the lounge kept giving glances at Scott and David. Scott said he didn't like the look of them and thought they looked the types who might cause trouble. "Don't be silly," said David, "it's just your imagination."

The lady and the man got up and walked past Scott and David and went down the spiral staircase. Scott picked up the glasses to return them to the bar at the top of the stairs, suddenly the other man rose quickly and hit Scott on the back of the head with what looked like a gun. Scott fell down the spiral staircase. Melanie screamed and her aunt was paralysed with fear. David could just lie there helpless. The man spoke saying that he and his friends were hijacking the plane and flying to Cuba.

David couldn't believe that this was happening to him, first the hold up in Llwyncelyn and now in a plane that was being hijacked. The hijacker looked down the stairs and said to David that your friend seemed to be unconscious. It was at that moment that there was a loud bang and a hissing noise. The plane started to fall and David was thrown to the floor, the hijacker fell down the spiral staircase. Melanie and her aunt were flung down the lounge and ended up on top of David. The barman was flung over the bar into the lounge area.

What's happening we're all going to die. David couldn't do anything but just lie on the floor and accept the inevitable. Within a few minutes the plane started to level off and seemed to get back to a steady whine of the engines again.

The three of them were all huddled on the floor together and the barman seemed to be unconscious. It was then that an officer came up into the lounge, he asked if everyone was alright? They said that they were shaken up but the man with the gun had fallen down the stairs after hitting Scott down them first ."The barman is hurt and unconscious I think." Melanie said.

The officer went to check the barman and said he was out cold. He then lifted David back on to the settee and explained that one of the hijackers had fired a gun in the cabin below and this had caused the cabin to lose pressure. The only way that the Captain could rectify this was to put the plane into a steep dive. which eventually equalised the pressure again.

This had thrown the hijackers off their guard and they had been over powered by the fellow passengers.

"The gunman hit him on the head with the gun before the shot. I think he is still unconscious but he will be alright. Everything is now under controlled and we have sent a message to New York saying that the hijackers are locked in one of our store compartments until we land . We will be landing in about two hours. May I suggest that you return to your seats please."

"I am sorry sir but I can't walk, my friend who was hit on the head carried me up to the lounge."

"No problem, I'll carry you down son, If you ladies would be so kind as to follow." Melanie and her aunt were still a little shaken but came down behind us. The officer put David in his seat and then went back to the lounge to see to the barman. When they reached the cabin area they could see that there had been some sort of a struggle. Things were all over the place and the air hostesses were trying their best to keep everyone calm.

Melanie asked her aunt if she minded if she sat with David for the last part of the journey for company. "Yes, I am alright now my dear."

Christina Raines left home early that morning on Long Island in New York so that she would beat the traffic into the city. She had arranged to meet her boy friend Mark Gilman and the two would drive to Kennedy Airport to meet the plane.

The traffic wasn't that congested and they arrived at the airport in time to have a coffee in one of the lounges, before making their way to the Aer Lingus desk to enquire the arrival of the plane. When they arrived at the counter they were told of the attempted hijack and that everything was under control, but the plane might be delayed a little. Like all the other relative of people on the flight they could only wait and pray that things were alright.

The plane made good time as it had a tail wind, so it arrived only a little late. It touched down at Kennedy Airport and finally taxied to a halt.

Melanie asked her aunt if they could stay with David until he was met by the people who had come to meet him. "Yes my dear we certainly will."

David was glad of this as he was now on his own. All the passengers had disembarked and some federal people had come aboard and followed the Captain and his first officer to the rear of the plane where the hijackers were under lock and key.

After they had been taken away, the Captain and his first officer returned to get David off the plane. Eventually David, Melanie and her aunt were in the arrival lounge.

Seeing David in the wheelchair Miss Raines introduced herself to everyone. David told her that Melanie and her aunt had been so kind as to stay with him since Scott had been knocked out by the gunman. She thanked them and said that she had just received word from the medic who had seen to Scott that he was now conscious and would be alright in a few days.

David said his goodbyes to Melanie and her aunt but not before taking her address in America, even if they didn't see each other again they could still keep in touch by letter. Miss Raines told David that after his ordeal she had cancelled the private plane that was to fly them on to Phoenix for the operation and that he was going to stay at her home on Long Island until Scott was well enough to go with him to Phoenix.

David said he was grateful that everything had turned out alright, and that things could have been much worse. He had waited nearly two years for an operation, so another couple of days wouldn't make much difference. Mark pushed David out of the terminal building and lifted him into the waiting Limo and they sped off into downtown New York.

The time came for the flight to Phoenix, this was uneventful. The pilot did suggest that David might like to see the Grand Canyon before they landed. David had heard of the place but never thought he would be so impressed by just seeing rocks and mountains and a river.

As the plane come over the rim of the canyon an upsurge of air from below made it toss about like some flotsom on a wild sea. The pilot flew down to the canyon floor and followed the course of the river, which snaked its way down the canyon, glistening in the brilliant sunshine.

David was so thrilled by it all, the plane seemed dwarfed by the size of the canyon. It was awe inspiring. It probably looked like a toy plane from the rim. David would never forget his flight over this barren and yet beautiful landscape. He felt as if he had stepped back in time, and was part of an old western film.

The plane landed and David was transferred to an ambulance and whisked away to the hospital called The Cedars. After many tests he was told that his operation would take place. The doctor who was to perform the operation on David explained that the nerves, muscles, tendons and sinews were going to be repaired by micro surgery. Then after a few weeks recuperation and physiotherapy he thought that there was a strong chance of David walking again.

The day of the operation arrived David was in surgery for seven hours, but the diagnosis was very favourable. In fact it was only four months after the operation that David finally took his first steps, without the aid of anyone. When the day arrived the tears of joy on David's face was a sight to behold.

David's father had flown to Phoenix a week before this was due to the generosity of the people of Llwyncelyn who raised the money for his trip. David took his first steps toward his father, the tears of joy were streaming down both their cheeks simultaneously. The two met and held on to each other in disbelief.

It was now six months since David had left Llwyncelyn and the doctors said that he was now strong enough to make the journey back home to Wales.

Miss Raines who had been a constant visitor to David over the few months stay in hospital, had again made arrangements for a private plane to fly them both back to Liverpool at the end of the week.

Goodbyes were said at Phoenix airport and David walked aboard the plane unaided. When the plane landed at Liverpool Mr. Morgan was there to meet them. The journey home must have given David jet lag, he thanked Mr. Morgan for his kindness and as soon as the car was on it's way back to Llwyncelyn, David was sound asleep.

While David slept Mr. Morgan to Mr. Llewellyn that all the villagers had organised a big welcome home party for David that night in the church hall. When the car stopped outside No. 10 Tynycai Place, there were balloons, and bunting decorating the house and a big sign saying "WELCOME HOME DAVID"

As David got out of the car the whole village gave a loud cheer. David was told of the party for him in the evening. He thanked everyone for their kindness toward him and his dad and said he would see them all later that evening. Mr. Llewellyn open the door and inside on the mat was a letter from America. David picked it up and opened it. Melanie had written to say that she was coming to Europe in the next few months and perhaps her and David could meet up again.

David had written to her many times while in hospital in Phoenix so she knew that the operation was a success. The kindness everyone in the village had shown to David and his dad had touched him very much.

It really made him feel great. Knowing he would see Melanie again in a few months had really made his day.