Posted on the 28th January 2025 in PHTM News

ELDERLY PASSENGER INJURED AFTER WHEELCHAIR ROLLS OUT OF SOUTH AYRSHIRE TAXI

An elderly man suffered a fractured vertebrae after his wheelchair rolled out of an open taxi door in Ayrshire.

The incident occurred when the driver, Alexander Collins, failed to secure the wheelchair and then opened the door behind the passenger.

South Ayrshire Council’s Regulatory Panel was told that Kenneth McAlpine, the passenger's son, 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.

Mr McAlpine stated that he should not have accepted the ride but did so due to the heavy rain and the short distance to the destination.

Upon arrival, Mr Collins opened the door behind the passenger, and the wheelchair, with the elderly man still in it, rolled out onto the pavement.

The passenger was hospitalised with a fractured vertebrae and remained there for over a month.

Mr McAlpine made a complaint about the actions of the driver in not securing his father’s wheelchair and then opening the door behind his father while he was not secured.

Mr Collins claimed that Mr McAlpine had helped him load the wheelchair and had assured him that the brakes were engaged. He also stated that he had intended to retrieve the ramps before opening the door but that the wheelchair rolled out before he could do so.

However, Mr McAlpine refuted this, stating that he had exited the taxi through the opposite door and that the door his father fell from was closed when he left.

Mr McAlpine told councillors that other taxi drivers and private hires had no problems using the straps to secure the wheelchair.

Civic Licensing Standards Officer Donna Scobie emphasised that taxi drivers should not proceed with a hire if they cannot safely secure a wheelchair and should instead contact their booking office to arrange for a suitable vehicle.

The panel, while acknowledging the seriousness of the incident, decided against suspending Mr Collins' licence. Instead, they ordered him to complete relevant training within six months.


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