Potholes leave pensioner black and blue

in Local News By Luke Lambert

Elenor Petchey, from Felmores fell and sustained heavy brusing and cuts Elenor Petchey, from Felmores fell and sustained heavy brusing and cuts

A BASILDON pensioner has been left black and blue after tripping over one of the borough’s many potholes.

Elenor Petchey, 94, from Felmores, was walking to the bus stop at Felmores End on Thursday, January 10 when she caught her foot in a four-inch hole in the ground before falling.

Mrs Petchey suffered facial injuries and heavy bruising around her neck and face. Luckily a doctor saw her fall and was able to help. her daughter said Essex County Council should be held responsible for not making the repairs more long-lasting.

Denise Howard, 60, from Burgundy Gardens, Pitsea, said her mum had to get out of her wheelchair to avoid the potholes.

She said: “Mum was a real state after she fell. She had blood all over her face and it was heartbreaking to see. We were very lucky a doctor happened to be there and was able to help. Mum is on the mend now.

“There are a number of elderly residents around this area and they are not being protected from the ruined roads.

Councillor Phil Rackley has said Basildon gets a bad deal when it comes to  road maintenance and has complained about the state of a number of roads in his ward where the repairs of potholes are not up to scratch.

Mr Rackley has said Basildon gets a bad deal when it comes to road maintenance and has complained about the state of a number of roads in his ward where the repairs of potholes are not up to scratch.

He said: "It seems as though this has always been a problem and we need more long-lasting repairs. Ice and snow won't improve the situation so it has to be sorted."

An Essex County Council spokesperson said: "We are sorry to hear about the accident and we hope that the resident made a swift recovery. A Highways Officer will visit the area to establish the location of the road defect and to see if any potential repairs need to be undertaken."

Comments (10)

10:25am Tue 22 Jan 13

GlenEckett says...

Very upsetting to think of an elderly man of 94 in that state - hope he get's back to his best soon
Very upsetting to think of an elderly man of 94 in that state - hope he get's back to his best soon GlenEckett

10:35am Tue 22 Jan 13

j-w says...

Did you not read the words accompanying the photo? It is a 94 year old woman!
Did you not read the words accompanying the photo? It is a 94 year old woman! j-w

10:39am Tue 22 Jan 13

DogsMessInLeigh says...

There are hazards(inc dogs mess) everywhere on footpaths even for us young ones, the council chap from the highways goes around with an orange spray can and highlights the dodgy parts, but rarely do they get repaired very fast if at all, BUT it may well cover their back if someone decides to claim for an accident where there is a problem with the footpath.

was she in a wheelchair and got out for a moment to go round a pothole..as stated by her daughter..? or was she walking to the bus stop as stated by the Report..?
There are hazards(inc dogs mess) everywhere on footpaths even for us young ones, the council chap from the highways goes around with an orange spray can and highlights the dodgy parts, but rarely do they get repaired very fast if at all, BUT it may well cover their back if someone decides to claim for an accident where there is a problem with the footpath. was she in a wheelchair and got out for a moment to go round a pothole..as stated by her daughter..? or was she walking to the bus stop as stated by the Report..? DogsMessInLeigh

11:20am Tue 22 Jan 13

Audioman says...

Hope the lady get better soon,the man
from the Council wants to bring her a nice bunch of flowers to cheer her up .
Hope the lady get better soon,the man from the Council wants to bring her a nice bunch of flowers to cheer her up . Audioman

12:00pm Tue 22 Jan 13

Eric Whim says...

council won't fix potholes, costs them too much of their precious money.....
council won't fix potholes, costs them too much of their precious money..... Eric Whim

12:59pm Tue 22 Jan 13

Soouthchurch59 says...

What are the reserve council coffers reserved for!?
What are the reserve council coffers reserved for!? Soouthchurch59

4:13pm Tue 22 Jan 13

firedog says...

Eric Whim wrote:
council won't fix potholes, costs them too much of their precious money.....
Our precious money,put council tax up
or put up with potholes.
[quote][p][bold]Eric Whim[/bold] wrote: council won't fix potholes, costs them too much of their precious money.....[/p][/quote]Our precious money,put council tax up or put up with potholes. firedog

7:51pm Tue 22 Jan 13

GlenEckett says...

j-w wrote:
Did you not read the words accompanying the photo? It is a 94 year old woman!
Quite right, that will teach me for skim reading. All the best to Mrs Petchey.
[quote][p][bold]j-w[/bold] wrote: Did you not read the words accompanying the photo? It is a 94 year old woman![/p][/quote]Quite right, that will teach me for skim reading. All the best to Mrs Petchey. GlenEckett

9:21pm Tue 22 Jan 13

InTheKnowOk says...

Poor old girl, hope she recovers ok
Poor old girl, hope she recovers ok InTheKnowOk

9:27pm Tue 22 Jan 13

InTheKnowOk says...

Eric Whim wrote:
council won't fix potholes, costs them too much of their precious money.....
They fixed them in preperation for the torch bearers though ! .. There was white lining going on in the early hours of the morning, grass verges were all tended too and not a scrap of litter to be seen ... I reckon that's where all the money's gone !!!
[quote][p][bold]Eric Whim[/bold] wrote: council won't fix potholes, costs them too much of their precious money.....[/p][/quote]They fixed them in preperation for the torch bearers though ! .. There was white lining going on in the early hours of the morning, grass verges were all tended too and not a scrap of litter to be seen ... I reckon that's where all the money's gone !!! InTheKnowOk

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