Husband praises Lanes team’s “exceptional” kindness after losing wedding ring down a drain

A Lanes Group utilities team working for Thames Water has recovered a film maker’s wedding ring after he accidently flung it down a drain while directing a corporate video.

Pascal Gunter had been waving his arm to show one of the video participants what he wanted her to do, when the platinum ring shot from his finger.

It rolled several metres along a road before falling through one of two small holes in the otherwise solid triangular drain cover, and disappearing from view.

Pascal called Thames Water and was put through to the call centre from where Lanes Utilities manages all waste water network maintenance services on behalf of the water company.

While he had to carry on making the corporate video for a national bank, a Lanes drainage engineer was dispatched to the scene – and found the ring gleaming at the bottom of the manhole shaft.

Pascal, 46, from London, said: “It was a horrifying moment. I have a habit of playing with my wedding ring, moving it up my finger. I must have been doing this when I flung my arm out to show what I wanted to happen.

“The ring flew from my finger. Then it all went into slow motion. We all watched as the ring rolled, and rolled, and rolled, and then just disappeared. It was sheer coincidence that it ended up over this small hole in the manhole cover.

“I had to leave the location and continue with the video shoot because we were on a tight deadline.

“We phoned Thames Water. I really didn’t think they would be able to do anything to help in this situation. But they were very kind, and unbelievably understanding. They said they would do everything they could.

“When, I heard later in the afternoon that the ring had been found, I was so very pleased. It happened almost on the first anniversary of our marriage, and the ring has enormous sentimental value.

“The service provided by the Lanes team working for Thames Water was exceptional. It wasn’t just finding the ring, it was how they responded to my problem on behalf of Thames Water. It was exceptional service. 10 out of 10!”

Pascal’s wife, Jane, 37, a clinical researcher, who is about to have the couple’s first child, said: “We really appreciated Thames Water’s generosity in helping recover the ring.

“Every member of the team we spoke to was incredibly helpful, and the matter was handled with understanding, ease and efficiency. I know Pascal was very relieved!”

Blockage engineer Ian Payne, who recovered the ring, said Pascal had been both very unlucky – and very fortunate.

He explained: “When the ring reached the drain cover, it just happened to drop through one of two small slots into which manhole lifting keys are placed. It it had rolled a centimetre either side, it would have stayed on the surface.

“In another way, though, Mr Gunter was very fortunate. His ring fell into a surface water drain. There had been no rain that day, so there was no water flow to carry the ring down the pipe.

“If it had been a foul or combined sewer, it probably would have been quickly washed along the line into Beckton water treatment works, which were close by. Then, it would have been almost impossible to find.”

Lanes Utilities Customer Co-ordinator Gemma Wiles delivered the precious ring to the Gunter’s home the following day.

She said: “We’re so pleased that we were able to get Pascal’s ring back for him. If anything of sentimental or financial value is lost down a drain, we will do everything we can to help.”

Before discovering that his ring has been found, Pascal had been recounting his misfortune to his banking clients in Canary Wharf. He said: “It appears that losing wedding rings is more common than you think.

“Three men at the bank said they had lost wedding rings on more than one occasion. However, I have learned my lesson. I am trying to cure myself of my habit of fiddling with my ring. I want it to stay on my finger from now on.”