12:59pm Tuesday 16th March 2010
By James Ranger
A NOTORIOUS danger spot has injured another victim, as an elderly woman tripped and fell as she climbed aboard a bus after visiting the supermarket.
Linda Johnson's 82-year-old mother Elvie, who lives in Debden, fell while stepping on board a 167 bus outside Morrison's in Loughton High Street on February 25.
Last week the Guardian reported that another woman, 48-year-old Mandy Johnson, fell in almost exactly the same spot, badly injuring both her ankles, due to a dangerous ridge of asphalt that the council has known about since at least September 2007.
Mrs Johnson, 57, of Culpepper Close, Hainault, said: “My mum was waiting for the bus, which stopped past the bus stop and away from the kerb.
“She had to tread on a lot of mud and muck to get to the bus, as she stepped on the already wet bus step she fell.
“She rode the bus home with her thumb bleeding as she caught it on the bottom of the bus door, and could see her leg starting to swell up.
“I phoned Docklands buses to put in a complaint as the driver didn't take her name and address, and this is procedure with any incidents involving their buses. It's now being investigated and I'm waiting for a reply.
“She was attended by paramedics at home and she's now on Warfarin. Her thumb was still bleeding for most of the day, both her legs are badly bruised and one is still swollen and very painful - so much so that she may need an X-ray.”
Mrs Johnson said her mother was already apprehensive of using public transport and her fall had made matters worse.
She said: “My mum's already a nervous person, and doesn't like using buses and everything, and then this happens.
“The drivers never put the ramp down for people, and although my mum hasn't got bad knees or a replacement hip, there are lots of elderly people do, and it's hard for them.”
An Essex County Council spokesman said: “We are aware of the defect on the kerb and will be arranging for the surface to be repaired.”
The Guardian has been unable to obtain a comment from Docklands Buses.
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