PERRANPORTH, England, April 4 (UPI) -- An 87-year-old woman in England had to be rescued by police when her mobility scooter sped out of control.


The Daily Telegraph reported Saturday Eileen Bishop and her husband Anthony were on their way to church when she suddenly zipped away from him on her scooter, which is essentially a motorized wheelchair.

"Suddenly she passed me at full tilt," Anthony Bishop said. "I shouted after her, but she is a bit deaf. I couldn't chase her as I have had a triple heart bypass."

Police caught up with her 5 miles from the couple's home in Perranporth after a motorist reported a scooter swerving across a road.

Michael Ginnelly, a police community support officer, drove the scooter back to the couple's home and said it appeared to be working correctly.

"I think Mrs. Bishop just gripped the controls and went too fast and held on for dear life," he was quoted by the newspaper as saying.

Eileen Bishop said she was not exactly sure how she became separated from her husband.

"I just lost him," she said. "I was half asleep to tell you the truth."