Passenger's high-value bag found in taxi is returned by driver, resulting in viral acclaim for him.
A London black taxi driver named Terry has become an international sensation for his honesty and integrity, after returning a rare and valuable Hermès Kelly Pochette handbag worth around £65,000 (approximately $87,000) to its owner, Hana Al Hai, a luxury clothing brand owner from Dubai.
The heartwarming story began when Terry found the bag left in his taxi over the weekend. Using a label inside the bag, he contacted The Lounge at Dubai Mall and managed to trace Hana Al Hai at her London hotel. Terry personally drove back from Sussex the next day to return the bag, safe and completely intact.
The moment of reuniting the bag was filmed and posted on social media, racking up millions of views. Hana Al Hai expressed her gratitude on Instagram for Terry's honesty and kindness in returning her bag. She also thanked The Dubai Mall for facilitating the connection.
The comments on the social media post praise Terry as a gentleman and a credit to London. One person wrote, "You are a credit to your city Terry. Bravo," while another commented, "A perfect gentleman. I love getting in a black cab when I go to London." Hana Al Hai concluded by stating that it's rare to meet someone with such integrity and genuine care for others.
Terry, who is known on social media as @purksthecabbie, shared the story to promote trust in London taxi drivers. He has extensive knowledge of London streets as required by black cab drivers to pass “The Knowledge.”
Despite his newfound fame, no verified direct contact information for Terry is publicly available beyond his social media presence. Hana Al Hai's contact information is also not publicly disclosed for privacy reasons.
In a world where honesty and integrity sometimes seem to be in short supply, Terry's actions serve as a reminder of the goodness that still exists. His story is a testament to the values that make London's black taxi drivers a trusted and respected part of the city's fabric.
[1] The Guardian, "London taxi driver returns Hermès bag worth £65,000," 15 September 2021, https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/sep/15/london-taxi-driver-returns-hermes-bag-worth-65000
[2] BBC News, "London taxi driver returns £65,000 Hermès bag to Dubai owner," 16 September 2021, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-58638810
[3] The Independent, "London taxi driver returns £65,000 Hermès handbag to Dubai owner," 16 September 2021, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/london-taxi-driver-hermes-bag-dubai-b1902343.html
Terry's Uplifting Story Touches Fashion-and-beauty and Entertainment Circles: Terry's story gained attention beyond just Londoners on social media, reaching fashion-and-beauty and entertainment enthusiasts worldwide. His humble act of returning the valuable Hermès bag was extensively shared, landing headlines in prestigious publications like The Guardian, BBC News, and The Independent.
Terry's Honesty and Integrity Reflect the Lifestyle of Black Cab Drivers in London: The black cab driver's astounding act of honesty serves as a shining example of the lifestyle that London's black taxi drivers embody — one marked by honesty, integrity, and a deep connection to the city they serve. He represents a symbol of trust and respect embedded in the heart of the city.
