I'll ignore Terrys self acknowledged tosh above.
The 'cancer victim wheelchairbound case' is interesting though.
The 'National' Hotel (Russell Sq) is one of London's most popular cheapskate hotels that we can boast of, it specialises in Scout groups, YMCA groups, coach parties from Poland a plenty, and any other Tom (No pun intended) Dick or Harry that arrives by the No7 Bus.
In short, it has
no Taxi rank or provision for Taxi's to wait, it's even a rare sight to see a Minicab waiting for a customer.
Buses though? Yep lots and lots of those, filled with shell suits of every variety.
I can safely say in two decades I've never been hailed from there, nor will I ever likely be.
There is however two REST RANKS for the Russell Square Taxi canteen (Green hut) situated a few yards south of the Hotel entrance, I don't think you need me to explain the likely scenario that occured when they tried to get a Taxi of a meal / rest rank?
Nor the offer of a double fare as they were running late?
I'd lay down my dinner if someone offered me twice the meter price, thats their decision.
As for waiting half an hour at the burst, I think you'll find most people have to wait a while, 3000 people appearing on the streets at the same time tends to lead to a bit unmet demand.
I'll guess they took the hump and started to walk back, they could have saved thereselves a lot of hastle with a bit pre-planning and booking of Taxi's in advance, but it's a far better story for the press if they stick to 'their' version.
As a footnote, I find the arrogance of some wheelchair users (always the female one's) leaving not a lot to be desired, 'your too far from the kerb' 'why's the meter on?' 'I'm not mentally ill you know' etc etc, so it does not surprise me if some taxi drivers having experienced the above, go on to adopt a negative attitute towards the wheelchair community.
Me? I'll continue to stop where I can, and on the proviso it's not a battery operated tractor lookalike chair, as Skull will tell you, they ain't for healthy backs.