Wincanton in the war zone
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Wincanton Transport have just returned from a 2,400-mile mercy mission to rescue refugees from war-torn Sarajevo.
Traffic Superintendent, Gerald Box and driver Mark Schatomski, were part of a four-man team of drivers who took a 40-seater coach donated by Wakes Coaches of Wincanton, across France, Belgium and Germany to the AustriaSlovenia border. They were one of five such coaches that left various parts of the UK to bring 120 sufferers back to England.
Wincanton employees were so moved by the tragic situation in what was Yugoslavia they raised about £5,000 in two weeks to mount the plan and the two Wincanton Transport staff volunteered their services. On board the outward journey were aid workers, a nurse and doctor complete with toys, medical supplies and food. Within four hours of arrival at the border the refugees were crossing the frontier by coach, car and on foot.
There were scenes of great emotion at the border as the refugees said goodbye to their husbands and brothers who would soon return to the fighting. Relief also for the aid team, who were not really sure that the refugees would get over the border.
"When I first heard of the
mission I was keen to be part of it," says Box. "Being on that border and seeing the relief in their faces as they boarded the coach I knew it was all worthwhile."
The four families brought out of Sarajevo are now safely housed in Wincanton Priory.