Jersey Electricity : Accidental Tourist Joe goes electric to take on Jersey's 'rotaries'

The American dubbed the 'Accidental Tourist', having mistakenly joined a Jersey Facebook group has been helped to make the most of his five-day visit to the Island by the loan of an electric car by Jersey Electricity.

Joe Hill, from Boston, Massachusetts, arrived in Jersey with girlfriend Amanda on Monday evening after islanders raised £1,200 for their fares. He was presented with the Renault Zoe this morning by Bob Huelin and James Le Ruez of JE's Energy Solutions Team at the Golden Sands Hotel, St Brelade's Bay, where the couple are staying courtesy of Dolan Hotels.

Joe, who didn't know anything about Jersey or even where it is when he accidentally joined the local Facebook group, liked the posts and its members so much he decided to remain part of the group. When islanders suggested he come over, Alex Dolan was quick to offer accommodation.

Joe, 26, who has never visited the British Isles before, said he was delighted to have his own car for his stay but was slightly perturbed at driving 'on the wrong side of the road'. 'And those rotaries (he means roundabouts) are really weird.'

But after some instruction from JE's Bob Huelin on charging and driving the car, plus an explanation about Jersey's scratch-card parking system from Alex, Joe and Amanda were ready to take to the open road - and just to add to their nerves, Channel TV fitted a Go-Pro inside the car to record how they get on.

Amanda, who has been to London once before but never driven there said they were both delighted to be here at last. She said friends at home had been 'blown away' by islanders' generosity in enabling them to make the trip.

The pair are hoping to meet up with their Jersey Facebook friends at three events organised by Alex who said: 'know everyone wants to meet Joe and Amanda but I didn't want to pack too much into their visit. They need time to explore on their own and enjoy their holiday. Thanks to the Zoe, they have the means to do so. Just watch out for the JE electric Zoe on those 'rotaries' over the next five days!