Emergency services urge people to download life-saving app

Emergency services are urging us all to download an app so they know exactly where we are should we need their help. 
Emergency services are urging us all to download an app so they know exactly where we are should we need their help. Credit: ITV News Meridian

Emergency services are urging us all to download an app so they know exactly where we are should we need their help. 

"What 3 Words" assigns an area a unique three word address so people can be located as quickly and as accurately as possible, and now with lockdown measures easing more of us are back out exploring. 

We speak to a man from Sussex who used the app when he needed rescue.


  • Report by ITV News Meridian's Andy Dickenson:


The beauty of the South Downs culminating in the cliffs here in Sussex, a hotspot for exercise in and out of lockdown.

Wayne Trinder broke his leg in two places Credit: ITV News Meridian

However, when Wayne Trinder rode his new electric bike in the early hours of six weeks ago, he hit a horrifying snag. A mound throwing him into the air, his leg broken in two places in a location with few distinct features to speak of.


  • Wayne Trinder, rescued using What3Words:


Fifteen minutes later, the air ambulance had arrived.

Emergency services across the country are now recommending people install the 'what three words' location programme.

15 minutes later, the air ambulance had arrived Credit: Wayne Trinder

Elects, Perfume, Bluffing were the three words that eventually summoned Wayne's rescue with the App choosing a location anywhere you could stand around the world.

Elects, Perfume, Bluffing were the three words that eventually summoned Wayne's rescue Credit: What3Words


  • Chris Sheldrick, What3Words:



In little over a year, the What3Words app has been used in more than 3,000 emergency call-outs.

Download. It. Now - Wayne's three word response.