Stamford man’s agony after brother died in crash and family could not be reached
A motorbike accident hundreds of miles from home left a Lincolnshire[1] family anxious to learn their loved one’s fate – and inspired a new gadget[2] for contacting the next of kin. Stamford[3] resident Tony Byles, 59, lost his brother Ed, 66, in a fatal crash in Germany in July. It took days for the German authorities to find and contact Ed’s wife Lynda, 63, which Tony said was an ‘absolutely awful’ experience.
That delay in contacting Lynda and Tony meant that Ed’s funeral was held in September, two months after he died, which only compounded the Byles’ grief. But something good has been born out of it, Tony said. Get the latest Lincolnshire Live news with our email newsletters[4]
He’s developed the Contact NoK system, which lets people access vital information – such as next of kin or their medical history – using a QR code. The Contact NoK system enables emergency services, Good Samaritans, and other authorised personnel to obtain crucial details by scanning QR code tags on items like keychains, wristbands and eco-cards.
Tony’s late brother, Ed. (Image: Submitted)
Tony added: “Losing my brother made me realise how vital it is for emergency services to have access to contacts and information when disaster strikes. I don’t want other families to go through the unbearable distress we endured.
“That’s why I created Contact NoK, a service that ensures help is just a scan away.” Users register an account on ContactNoK.com with their medical details, emergency contacts, and other vital information. A unique QR code is then generated, which links to the user’s account. In an emergency, responders can simply scan the code, which pings the user’s location and contacts their designated emergency contact.
The ContactNoK fob. (Image: Submitted)
Information like medical history and permissions is instantly available to aid response.
The system uses cutting-edge encryption to ensure data privacy and security. As well as helping first responders, Tony says it could be used to reunite people and prevent pets from going missing. He said: “Imagine encountering an elderly person out late at night, confused and disoriented in their pyjamas.
Our products provide a simple and fast solution that helps to guide them back home safely.
“We all need to look out for each other and I hope Contact NoK will help to create safer, more caring communities across the country, as well as honour my brother’s memory.”
References
- ^ Lincolnshire (www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk)
- ^ gadget (www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk)
- ^ Stamford (www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk)
- ^ Get the latest Lincolnshire Live news with our email newsletters (www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk)