Isabel tripped on the exposed foundation of a council bin
Woman cuts face open after tripping on bin foundation
A woman tripped on an exposed metal rod embedded in a pavement in Feltham and smashed her face on the concrete, requiring hospital treatment.
Isabel Guerrerio was getting off the bus in the West London town when she tripped on the metal foundation, before falling unconscious in a pool of blood. She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that she thought she would die.
Isabel complained to Hounslow Council, but claims they told her it was not their responsibility, but TfL’s despite the metal appearing to be from where a council bin had been removed. She is now calling on the council to provide compensation and apologise for the incident, after she missed a Lady Gaga concert which she paid hundreds of pounds for.
She said: “I could’ve got brain damage, I thought I’d die, I think it’s ridiculous the council tried to shift responsibility. Initially, I didn’t want any compensation, but the way they have treated me after the injury is ridiculous.
“I had spent £600 on tickets to see Lady Gaga at The O2 as a surprise birthday present for my son, but I couldn’t go, it was devastating. I was so excited to spend that time with my son.
“I realised I was falling, I didn’t think it would be as bad as it was, but I felt my face hit the floor and blood spitting out everywhere… I didn’t realise what had happened. Thank God people were there to help me.”
After falling unconscious on Lansbury Avenue, Isabel woke up while being put into an ambulance. She says doctors were so concerned about her injuries that she had to have a number of x-rays.
Isabel says the injuries have impacted her ability to work and her mental health, as she now fears people staring at her in the street because of her facial injury, which might require surgery. She said: “Everything has changed, it comes into my mind every few minutes.
“I feel anxious all the time, I’m going out less in general, forced to work from home, and I’m missing work that really I can’t miss. I now wear my hair in a side parting, and wear sunglasses so people don’t stare.”
When Isabel complained to the council, she was told it was not a matter for the authority, but TfL which owns the highway. However, upon visiting the scene, the LDRS found that there are other identical metal rods sticking out of the pavement in the street, which appear to be the foundations for council bins.
The specific rod that Isabel tripped on has been removed, although it is unclear who removed it. However, it appeared it was not disposed of, but left in the road as a loose metal rod was still visible.
Isabel told the LDRS that the way the council responded to her complaint “shocked” her. She said: “They didn’t even apologise, I felt worse because of their response. I wasn’t complaining for myself, but imagine an elderly person fell on that, or the other ones, they might die there.
“I didn’t complain for compensation either, but after how they have treated me, I think I should [be compensated]. They [Hounslow Council] didn’t even apologise.”
The LDRS asked Hounslow Council a number of questions, including whether it takes responsibility, whether it will remove the other rods only meters away, and why Isabel was reportedly told it was not a council problem. The council did not respond to these questions.
However, a spokesperson said: “While we are sorry to hear what happened to Isabel and we wish her a speedy recovery, the council is investigating this matter and cannot comment further at this time. We remain committed to ensuring Hounslow’s roads and pavements are safe for residents.”
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