The moment when a bride was stranded on the road was caught on camera as police came to her rescue—and saved her big day. Her antique car had broken down on a busy dual highway on the way to her own wedding.
Lydia Evans-Hughes, 29, was given a lift to the church by a kindhearted officer after the vintage car she was traveling in broke down at the side of the A55 near Chester, UK.
She had been on her way to the venue with her parents, Yvette and Alan Fletcher, when the classic motor spluttered to a halt Aug. 27.
But the bride’s blushes were spared when traffic officers arrived at the scene and Inspector Matt Geddes made sure she got to the church on time.
Lydia and partner Tidur Evans-Hughes, 31, were then able to say “I do” in front of family and friends at St Mary’s Church in Eccleston, Cheshire.
“I was staying at the reception venue the night before,” said Lydia, of Wrexham, North Wales.
“But when the car pulled off from there it was fine for the first five miles—then it just gave up the ghost.
“I was worried I'd have to climb over the crash barrier and be left stood at the side of the road.
“They saw it was a wedding car and offered us a lift. That was the first time in the day that I had tears of relief.”
The bride’s transport had left Soughton Hall, near Mold, Flintshire, and was traveling down the A55 to the church when it broke down.
Inspector Geddes then arrived to give the bridal party a lift and put on his “blues and twos” to make a more spectacular entrance.
“He asked how much of an entrance we wanted to make and my dad said a big one so he put on the blues and twos,” Lydia added.
“Because of how fast it all happened and how promptly they turned up I wasn’t very late at all—you couldn’t have planned it better.
“I’m just incredibly happy. All in all it did go brilliantly.”
“We were due to get married in June last year but it was delayed because of COVID, then in May this year but that got pushed back too,” Lydia said.
“The fact we were finally able to have our day and everyone was able to be there is just priceless. It was such a lovely ending.
“The most incredible and sincere thanks to the police. Without them, what would we have done?”
Civil servant Lydia and plumbing and heating engineer Tidur got engaged in November 2018 following a six-year romance.
“I hope it will be smooth sailing now and we can settle down and enjoy married life,” Lydia added.
Inspector Geddes of North Wales Police said, “I was glad to have been of help.
“The slightly unusual arrival brought about some smiles following what must have been a stressful situation, being stuck at the side of a busy A55 is not nice at the best of times.
“The bride looked beautiful, the sun was shining and she was only a little late. I hope the couple have a wonderful day and a long and happy life together.”
Police also posted about the incident on Twitter, including a photo showing the stranded bridal party on the side of the road.
Traffic Wales captioned: “The course of true love never did run smooth …
“Our traffic officers arrived on scene this afternoon to help assist a bride in a broken down vehicle!
“We removed the vehicle while @NWPolice gave her a lift to the ceremony. Wishing the bride & groom all the best!”
