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Tourist Locked in Bookstore Freed After Posting Twitter 'SOS'

By Clyde Hughes | Friday, 17 October 2014 01:41 PM EDT

A quick-thinking Dallas tourist who got locked in a London bookstore this week used Twitter and Instagram to call for help and was eventually freed after two hours.

David Willis was visiting Waterstones bookshop in Trafalgar Square Thursday when he wandered to the second floor to browse for a title. A bit later when he went to leave, the downstairs door was locked and all the lights were off, the BBC reported.

After racking his brain, Willis decided to tweet and post on Instagram for help.

This is me locked inside a waterstones bookstore in London. I was upstairs for 15 minutes and came… http://t.co/EefA1antuG
— David Willis (@DWill_) October 16, 2014

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This is me locked inside a waterstones bookstore in London. I was upstairs for 15 minutes and came down to all the lights out and door locked. Been here over an hour now. Supposedly someone is on their way. #nofilter #london

View on Instagram

Hi @Waterstones I've been locked inside of your Trafalgar Square bookstore for 2 hours now. Please let me out.
— David Willis (@DWill_) October 16, 2014

The two posts were retweeted more than 15,000 times and eventually caught the attention of the police and Waterstones. Two hours later, help arrived.

We're pleased to announce that @DWill_ is a free man once more. Thanks for your concern and tweets!
— Waterstones (@Waterstones) October 16, 2014

The Twitter drama apparently left quite a few in suspense.

Need my bed but can barely sleep till I know the Waterstones One is free.Poor @DWill_ Hope they give him a book token to make up for it
— Gaby Hinsliff (@gabyhinsliff) October 16, 2014

DWillz from Waterstone's now enters the Twitter hall of micro-fame, alongside Fenton the dog and Cat Bin Lady
— Michael Hogan (@michaelhogan) October 16, 2014