AN ELDERLY woman who was badly bruised after tripping over a plank of wood while trying to catch a bus is warning other passengers to beware.

Barbara Hales, 75, was sent sprawling when she fell over the raised piece of wood left by builders after they relaid the bus stop, in Harrow Road, Canvey.

She had bruises to her ribs and legs.

She said: “I was looking at the bus and I didn’t notice the concrete.

“I went down on my front, but fortunately some friends were there and helped me up.

“If it had been someone frailer than me they’d have broken bones going down the way I did.”

A county council spokeswoman said: “Essex County Council has sent an officer out to inspect this site.

“Any necessary safety improvements will then be made.”