Ring find after 100-gallon hunt (From Wiltshire Times)

Ring find after 100-gallon hunt

12:33pm Thursday 25th October 2012 in Latest News

A plumber proved himself to be a diamond geezer by toiling for hours in sewage to reunite a Bradford on Avon woman with an engagement ring accidentally flushed down a toilet.

Sian Robbins, 28, was running a bath when her platinum Tiffany’s ring, given to her by husband Adam, 34, slipped off her finger and into a flushing toilet.

Distressed, Mrs Robbins, who lives in a Bradford on Avon farmhouse, tried her best to recover the ring, but could not find it.

She then called in plumbing company Dyno Rod.

Plumber Dave Scanes, 45, came to the house five days later, on October 9, and worked outside for seven hours before finding the ring. He had to manually go through 100 gallons of waste in his search.

Mrs Robbins said: “When it went, I was absolutely devastated. When Dave found the ring, I couldn’t believe it. “I never would have suspected someone would have gone to such great lengths for a complete stranger.”

Mr Scanes used a CCTV drainage camera to search the pipework at the house after deciding not to use pumping equipment for fear it could damage the ring.

He refused to take a break, despite being offered tea and coffee by Mrs Robbins.

Mr Scanes said: “It could have been easy for someone in my position to give up, but I saw the look on Sian’s face when I went there and was determined to get it back to her.

“I was absolutely made up when I found it and the look on her face was cracking, which made it all worthwhile for me. “She offered me so many drinks throughout the day and said to take a break, but I was dirty and didn’t want to. I just wish someone had a camera behind me when I gave it back, so I could capture that look.”

Since the incident, Mr Scanes’s colleagues at Dyno Rod have been referring to him as “Diamond Dave”.

Mrs Robbins said: “It was really nice to get the ring back and I just can’t thank Diamond Dave enough, because of the lengths he went to. Whenever I look at the ring now, I’ll always be reminded of his kindness and hard work.

“I can’t speak highly enough of Dyno Rod, either. Their service was worth its weight in gold... well, I guess that should be platinum.”