Why didn't the Mccann simply phone the European Emergency No 112

[Carana]

Has anyone here who only speaks English needed to ring 112? If so, how well did the conversation go?

[AnneGuedes]

This thread was spun off from another last week.

Why did the McCanns not simply dial 112 ?

Through ignorance and because they didn't speak Portuguese, according to some.
As educated persons and moreover doctors they probably knew and, as having stayed in PDL for 5 days, they knew that everybody spoke sufficient English to understand a child was missing, according to others.
Because they were obviously out of their minds, according to some.
If he was, then why did Mr McCann lose time trying to confirm the shutters could be opened from the outside ?, according to others.
If the shutters and window were open, no doubt was allowed and they could have called family in the UK asking to contact the 24 h emergency line of the British consulate which would have alerted the 112.

[AnneGuedes]

Has anyone here who only speaks English needed to ring 112? If so, how well did the conversation go?

Carana, they were not supposed to say something like
When shall we three meet again?
In thunder, lightning, or in rain?

[John]

Having been abroad many times over many years I cannot believe for a moment that they did not think about telephoning 112.  As with most emergency services in Europe, these calls are routed to a central control room which is manned by people who most probably speak English.  They had access to several mobile phones so what was the problem?

[sadie]

Having been abroad many times over many years I cannot believe for a moment that they did not think about telephoning 112.  As with most emergency services in Europe, these calls are routed to a central control room which is manned by people who most probably speak English.  They had access to several mobile phones so what was the problem?

You know what .  My hubbie was an Interrnational business man.

We have probably been abroad more than anyone on here apart maybe from owners.

And I didn't know 112 was the emergency number in Europe.




Any problems and we would go to reception, or phone reception

After a particularly nasty scam in Tenerife we we told to go to the Omic .. and to ring  a particular number in Madrid.  Both places had English speakers.  This we were advised by the Hotel Top Manager..

But we never knew 112 was the number for emergencies.

Couldn't have used it anyhow in PT or Spain cos we dont know tbe lingo

[sadie]

Hope this isn't going to be another wumming thread!

[Carana]

Having been abroad many times over many years I cannot believe for a moment that they did not think about telephoning 112.  As with most emergency services in Europe, these calls are routed to a central control room which is manned by people who most probably speak English.  They had access to several mobile phones so what was the problem?

How well known would this have been back in 2007?

[sadie]

Maybe you are an owner of property in Europe John?

in that case you would know these numbers becos they would be in your phone book.

Every year we went abroad, mainly to Europe on business and holidays.  One year we went 8(ish) times, yet I never knew 112 was the emergency number

[John]

How well known would this have been back in 2007?

I find it to be quite unbelievable that the tapas 9 group were incapable of telephoning the police directly.  Here we had a group of very intelligent individuals many of whom were medical doctors yet not one of them was able to dial 112.  It just doesn't add up.

Maybe you are an owner of property in Europe John?

in that case you would know these numbers becos they would be in your phone book.

Every year we went abroad, mainly to Europe on business and holidays.  One year we went 8(ish) times, yet I never knew 112 was the emergency number

Yes Sadie, I have a connection with several properties abroad but the only reason I know the emergency number is 112 is because it is plastered all over every police car, fire engine and ambulance.

[amaraltheofficeboy]

I find it to be quite unbelievable that the tapas 9 group were incapable of telephoning the police directly.  Here we had a group of very intelligent individuals many of whom were medical doctors yet not one of them was able to dial 112.  It just doesn't add up.


Yes Sadie, I have a connection with several properties abroad but the only reason I know the emergency number is 112 is because it is plastered all over every police car, fire engine and ambulance.

and it is so important that it needs a thread

[icabodcrane]

Having been abroad many times over many years I cannot believe for a moment that they did not think about telephoning 112.  As with most emergency services in Europe, these calls are routed to a central control room which is manned by people who most probably speak English.  They had access to several mobile phones so what was the problem?

That's a very good question

I have to admit, though,  I disn't know about the 112 number   (  then again, I'm not a seasoned traveller ) 

[amaraltheofficeboy]

That's a very good question

I have to admit, though,  I disn't know about the 112 number   (  then again, I'm not a seasoned traveller )

struggling to see what question was very good?

are you answering the question "what was the problem"?

[icabodcrane]

struggling to see what question was very good?

The McCanns and their chums  were well travelled,  and therefore,  as John suggests,  likely to  have  been aware of the emergency number

[amaraltheofficeboy]

The McCanns and their chums  were well travelled,  and therefore,  as John suggests,  likely to  have  been aware of the emergency number

what was the very good question?

[icabodcrane]

what was the very good question?

Why the McCanns and their companions didn't contact the police directly themselves,  on their mobiles  using the emergency number

Why do you think they didn't  ?