Cable theft in Tickton leaves phones cut off for a week
More than 100 people are facing a week without phone lines and the internet after thieves stole half a mile of cable from an East Yorkshire village.
BT customers living in Tickton near Beverley lost their connection after the theft at the weekend.
Resident Kate Powell said she struggled to call for an ambulance after her 93-year-old neighbour was taken ill.
BT said restoration was a priority but the repairs could take another four days to complete.
Ms Powell said: "My neighbour needed help quite urgently but she didn't have a phone.
"We don't have a particularly good mobile reception so it was very difficult to get hold of anyone at all to begin with."
She added: "Had we not been in, it could have been an emergency that ended in serious illness or even death."
Tickton sub postmaster John Greenwood said the store's cash machine had been put out of action.
He said: "Lots of people have been affected. It's a big problem."
BT said 800m of cable was stolen and just under 2000m left severely damaged and in need of replacement.
A company spokesperson said it had received 149 reported faults but anticipated more people had been affected.
A BT spokesperson said: "Engineers are working to remove cut and damaged cable from our ducts and to run new cable in and begin the process of restoring each customer one by one.
"We anticipate this will take a further three to four days taking into account weather conditions and the extent of the damage caused by the thieves."
The spokesperson said £1000 was being offered for information leading to a conviction of those responsible.
Anyone with information should contact Crimestoppers.