At a Glance
- 938,000 people watched a video of strangers helping stranded drivers on the A27 near Chichester.
- The incident occurred on January 26, after a medical emergency forced a three-hour road closure.
- Two volunteers, Ollie Pulleyblank and Zara Best, handed out water and chips to motorists.
- Why it matters: The clip shows how small acts of generosity can unite a community during unexpected crises.
The A27 near Chichester turned into an impromptu community hub when a medical emergency shut the road on January 26. A video of two strangers distributing water and chips to stranded drivers quickly went viral, amassing over 938,000 views and more than 4,200 likes on Facebook.
What Happened on the A27
The Sussex Express first reported that National Highways closed the A27 in both directions early Monday morning after police were called to a medical incident before 5 a.m. Traffic remained gridlocked for more than three hours while emergency services worked at the scene.
During the standstill, a man named Ollie Pulleyblank walked along the road, weaving between stationary cars and offering food and drinks. He later clarified that he was not the sole contributor, crediting a woman who had dropped the supplies.
The Volunteers Behind the Video
Ollie Pulleyblank
Pulleyblank, a steel erector heading to work in London, described his role as simply delivering the items. He said:
“I was purely the delivery man,” he told the Sussex Express.
He added that the response to the video had been “absolutely crazy” and that everyone was very thankful for the help.
Zara Best
Best, from Hambrook, was identified as the woman who initially dropped the water and chips. Her mother, Liz Donovan, explained that Best had “seen moms and children out of their cars” and wanted to help.
Best later shared that she was walking her dogs when she noticed the traffic jam from a bridge. “I was walking my dogs and just happened to see the traffic at a standstill,” she said.
She specifically mentioned seeing a mother and her baby out of their car, which motivated her to act.
The Ripple Effect
The video resonated far beyond the road itself. Pulleyblank praised the emergency crews working at the scene and shared his hope that the person involved in the medical incident makes a full recovery.
Best said she hopes the moment encourages others to look out for people around them. “It doesn’t have to be much,” she said, noting that even small gestures can make a huge difference-especially during challenging times.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 26 | Medical emergency; A27 closed early morning |
| Morning | Traffic gridlocked for over three hours |
| During standstill | Pulleyblank distributes water and chips |
| Later | Video shared on Chichester Observer Facebook page |
| Subsequent | Video reaches 938,000 views and 4,200 likes |
Key Takeaways
- A simple act of kindness can transform a frustrating situation into a community celebration.
- The incident shows how local residents can step in when official services are overwhelmed.
- Viral moments like this highlight the power of social media to amplify everyday heroism.
Final Thoughts
The A27 standstill on January 26 turned into a heartwarming story of generosity that captured the public’s attention. The volunteers, Ollie Pulleyblank and Zara Best, demonstrated that even in moments of crisis, people can come together to support one another. Their actions remind us that kindness, no matter how small, can have a lasting impact.
Source
The story was reported by the Sussex Express and shared widely on Facebook. The video was first posted on the Chichester Observer Facebook page.
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Note: This article was written by Ethan R. Coleman and published by News Of Los Angeles.
