Call for action on pavements after pensioner’s painful fall

Marian Hearn with bruised face after a fell in Clevedon (Image: Archant)

Marian Hearn, aged 89, was shopping in the town when she tripped on some broken pavement in Station Road, near Clevedon Baptist Church, and landed on her face.

Members of the church and two passers-by came to her aid and Marian and her niece Liz Savidge would like to thank everyone who helped her, including the paramedics who treated her at the scene.

Mrs Savidge, also from Portishead, said: “We would like thank the people from the church so much as they took her in and gave her a cup of tea and called the paramedics. They were brilliant.

“There was a nurse passing and a lady on her way to work, who both came to help, and the paramedics were also brilliant.

“We were talking to the rector at the church and two other people have hurt themselves on that pavement in the past year. It was reported to North Somerset Council but nobody has done anything about it.”

The pavement has been broken by tree roots, which have grown up through the concrete and uprooted a grid and paving slabs.

Mrs Savidge said: “My aunt has got bad bruising on her face and looks like she’s been through a boxing match. She also hurt her shoulder and knee and broke her glasses.

“She’s been in quite a lot of pain and has been having bad headaches. It really shook her up. I think she’s very lucky she didn’t break her hip.

“She’s very robust and independent and she’s not going to let it set her back, but I’m very cross with the council for not repairing it and I would like it sorted before another person gets hurt.”

A council spokesman said: “We’re sorry to hear about this incident and hope the lady is recovering.

“We have already been out to have a look at the area and we are going to take up the paving slabs, level the ground and replace the slabs.”