Tuesday, 8 November 2016

Disabled brothers in wheelchairs left stranded after SEVEN drivers refused to let them board bus

Two disabled brothers were left stranded miles from home after seven different bus drivers refused to let them board together in their wheelchairs.

Travis, 12, and Braydon McDowell, eight, who both have cerebral palsy , had finished a day of shopping with their carers when they were told they couldn't use the public transport .

Each of the First Bus drivers blamed regulations which prevent them from taking two wheelchair users at once - despite the fact the boys had travelled together on the outbound journey to Portsmouth city centre.

The brothers father, Robert Bennett, was outraged and said the incident could have threatened their lives after they almost missed taking vital medication for their epilepsy.



Mr Bennett, also of Gosport, Hants, said: "This could have been life-threatening.

"They were late for their medication and this could have brought on a seizure - they could have gone into epileptic shock and needed to be hospitalised or needed their rescue meds.

"The boys should be able to go out together and not feel victimised.

"It was not right to leave them stranded. I am absolutely furious.

"They were refused seven times. That's not on."

A spokeswoman for campaign group Disability Rights UK was appalled by the children's treatment and urged the bus firm to review its disability access policies.

She said: "Freedom to travel and to socialise with friends is an absolute linchpin of daily life. It's so important.

"Disabled people far too often find "health and safety" used as an excuse to say that they can't do things. But it's very difficult to understand why this case would be a health and safety reason."

Portsmouth South MP Flick Drummond has demanded answers from the travel operator, with disability campaigners branding the situation unacceptable.




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