Tortoise gets a taste of life in the fast lane

Turtley awesome tale of Virgin Media technicians helping reunite a lost tortoise with its owner

When Virgin Media Technicians, Adrian Patterson and Chris Collins, set out for work on Friday, they’d never have guessed their day would take the turn that it did.

In the midst of a hot summer’s day, reports of a missing tortoise in Haypark Avenue, Belfast, hit the local airwaves after a worried owner took to social media to try and raise awareness of her missing pet, Hermes.

Hearing the news, Virgin Media Field Manager, Chris Collins, sent a note to his team asking if anyone had come across a tortoise while they went about their work. The next day, Chris was shell-shocked when his colleague, Adrian, responded to say he had come across a lonely looking tortoise making a slow-motion break for freedom in an alleyway.

Not wanting to leave the little guy in the sweltering sun and near a busy road, Adrian scooped up the tearaway tortoise and arranged for him to recuperate with the reptile experts at Creepy Critters while they tracked down his owner.

Once contact was established, Chris and Adrian initiated mission ‘get Hermes home’ to collect the runaway reptile and treat him to life in the fast lane with Virgin Media as they returned him home.

Virgin Media Field Manager, Chris Collins said:

“Reptile returns certainly isn’t the kind of thing I usually do in my job, but as soon as I heard about Hermes I knew we had to help. I still can’t quite believe we found him!”

Virgin Media Field Technician, Adrian Patterson said:

“I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the little fella, it’s the last thing I’d have expected when I woke up that morning. Helping reunite Hermes with his owner was definitely a day I shell not forget!”

Cedar Andress, Hermes’ owner, said:

“I’m so thankful for Adrian, Chris and Virgin Media’s help in reuniting me with Hermes! When they knocked at my door it was a huge surprise. I can’t thank them enough for going the extra mile, without them both I don’t think I’d have gotten him back.”

After 12 long days apart, Chris and Adrian reunited Hermes with his owner who was thrilled to see him after his unexpected holiday, and who will be keeping an extra close eye on her speedy companion from now on.