"Many Photos" - Bristol man unable to see his father before he died because Extinction Rebellion protest traffic

A man was unable to reach his father's bedside before he died because an Extinction Rebellion protest blocked the road and kept him stuck in traffic.

The driver, who wishes to remain anonymous, rushed to Bristol Royal Infirmary after doctors told him his father didn't have long to live. 

But he was unable to get there before his father's death because climate change protesters Extinction Rebellion were blocking the M32 into the city. 

The grieving man rang his local radio station to tell his tragic story yesterday afternoon, sparking fury among listeners who branded the demonstrations 'selfish'. 

The clip from BBC Radio Bristol was played to an Extinction Rebellion activist who said she was 'incredibly sorry' but said it does not affect her desire to protest.   

Extinction Rebellion protestors are carried away after the group blocked the M32 into Bristol yesterday 

The driver, who wishes to remain anonymous, rushed to Bristol Royal Infirmary after doctors told him his father didn't have long to live. But he was unable to get there because of traffic (pictured on M32) caused by the protests yesterday 

The group have been blocking key roads in Bristol and other cities since Monday as part of a week-long protest.

Causing traffic chaos nationwide, one of the group's infamous boats was parked on The Strand in London, disrupting travel for thousands of Londoners, while sixteen members have been arrested in Bristol after blocking the M32.   

Local Steve King posted on Facebook: 'I've just been listening to #BBCRADIOBRISTOL and some poor chap had phoned in about the #Extinctionrevolution protests.

'His father was seriously ill in Bristol Royal Infirmary. He had a phone call from them to say that his father hadn't got long to live.

'He couldn't be with his father when he died because these protesting tw**s had blocked the M32 and he couldn't get there in time.

'The protesters have completely lost any support I may have had for their message!!'

Extinction Rebellion member Zoe Jones told BBC Bristol: 'We're incredibly sorry, we didn't mean to affect your life in this way.

'I still believe we are doing the right thing. But it's incredibly difficult to hear stories like that.

'I guess the reason we're all here is for our families. And I shouldn't be here. 

'I shouldn't be standing in the road stopping people getting to hospital to see their aged father who is on death's door. But we are here and this is the reality we have to be here.'  

The group have been blocking key roads in Bristol and other cities since Monday as part of a week-long protest

Sixteen people were arrested in Bristol after blocking the M32

Asked if has made her think differently she said it 'hasn't made her want to stop.  

Wendy Gilvear commented on the man's story: 'Out of respect to the Gentleman who passed away, and his family they should pack up their protest and go back to their homes and families.

'This might show people that they really do feel sympathy for depriving a son his precious irreplaceable last few minutes with his father.'

Do you know the man involved?  

Email lara.keay@mailonline.co.uk 

Sophie Iles posted: 'That's awful. Actually has made me cry. That poor man.'

Rachelle Miller wrote: 'Poor guy. I was lucky to be with my dad right till his last breath. This will be with him for the rest of his life.

'So not fair he had to go through this because of selfish people who couldn't stay on the roads that had been blocked off.'

Jan Edwards wrote: 'Sadly this was bound to happen. If you lose a loved one the time you give to them is more important than a demonstration.

Activists are pictured with a banner as they block roads in Bristol saying: 'This is a real emergency! 2050 is too late. Be alarmed! Act now!' 

'You have all now gone too far. Remember you reap what you sow. My deepest condolences to the man and his family.'

Caroline Carey commented: ' I hope they can live with what they have done to this poor man. 

'How would they feel if it was one of their family members needing to get to the hospital. They have no conscience.

'They've made their point, time to go home before more tragedy blights their cause. RIP to the father and heartfelt condolences to the son.' 

• Do you know the man involved? Email lara.keay@mailonline.co.uk

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News Photo Bristol man unable to see his father before he died because Extinction Rebellion protest traffic
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