A grandad in Abergavenny, Wales, suffered serious injuries, including a broken spine, after tripping on a 10ft-long pothole outside his house. Darren Lucas was left with a lump on his head, a bloodied face, and a cut on his leg following the fall. Despite seeking medical attention, his spinal injury went undetected for a year until he collapsed and had an MRI scan, which revealed three fractures in his spine.
The 57-year-old underwent emergency surgery to insert metal plates into his spine, spent 11 days in ICU, and had to relearn walking with a frame due to the immense pain and nerve damage. Darren expressed frustration at the lack of responsibility being taken for his injuries, claiming that a neighbour had reported the pothole to the Monmouthshire County Council around six years ago, but no action was taken.
Darren’s ordeal has left him struggling with ongoing pain and mobility issues, requiring physiotherapy and the use of a walking stick. He has since learned that the road with the pothole is owned by the council, not the housing association as he previously thought. Despite the council filling in the pothole after his solicitor’s intervention, they have not acknowledged responsibility for Darren’s life-altering injuries.
Darren plans to move house due to the traumatic memories associated with the incident. He emphasised the permanent damage caused by the fall, including a trapped nerve in his leg and ongoing nerve damage throughout his body. Determined to hold the council accountable, Darren vowed to continue fighting for justice.
A neighbour, who preferred to remain anonymous, corroborated Darren’s account, stating that complaints about the pothole had been made to the council without any effective action being taken. Monmouthshire County Council has been contacted for comment on the situation but has not responded at the time of writing.
The unfortunate incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining road infrastructure to prevent accidents and injuries. Darren’s experience highlights the significant impact that negligence in road maintenance can have on individuals’ lives and underscores the need for authorities to address such issues promptly to ensure public safety and wellbeing.