An elderly man suffered a fractured vertebra after his wheelchair rolled out of an open taxi door in Ayrshire, sparking concerns over passenger safety and taxi driver training.
The incident occurred when taxi driver Alexander Collins failed to secure the man’s wheelchair before opening the vehicle door, leading to the passenger falling onto the pavement. The South Ayrshire Council’s Regulatory Panel heard details of the case, which resulted in the man being hospitalised for over a month.
Kenneth McAlpine, the victim’s son, had booked the taxi to take his father to a dentist appointment. Despite acknowledging that he could not safely secure the wheelchair, Mr Collins proceeded with the journey due to the short distance and heavy rain. Upon arrival, he opened the door behind the passenger, causing the wheelchair to roll out.
Mr McAlpine lodged a complaint, criticising the driver for failing to secure his father and then opening the door without ensuring his safety. In his defence, Mr Collins claimed that Mr McAlpine had helped load the wheelchair and confirmed the brakes were engaged. He also argued that he intended to retrieve the ramps before opening the door but that the wheelchair moved unexpectedly. However, Mr McAlpine disputed this, stating that the door was closed when he exited through the opposite side of the vehicle.
Civic Licensing Standards Officer Donna Scobie reinforced the importance of taxi drivers refusing fares if they cannot secure a wheelchair properly. She advised that drivers should contact their booking office to arrange for a suitable vehicle instead.
Despite the severity of the incident, the licensing panel opted not to suspend Mr Collins’ licence. Instead, he has been ordered to complete mandatory training within six months to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The case highlights the crucial responsibility taxi drivers have in ensuring the safety of wheelchair users and raises questions about whether stricter regulations and enforcement are needed within the industry.
Created and sourced by Chat GPT.
