Tower Hamlets (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Mother-of-three Linda Kelsey, 39, is suing Tower Hamlets Council after a 150kg park litter bin fell and crushed her foot while she was walking her dog.
In an east London park, a 150 kg trash can overturned and crushed Linda’s leg, forcing her to quit her job.
She claimed that as she was exercising her bulldog Buddy in the morning, his lead brushed against the loose metal container and fell upon her foot.
On Jolly’s Green, Poplar, Mrs. Kelsey, who was in excruciating pain, found that the iron bolts that held the bin in place had corroded away.
Tower Hamlets Council has finally acknowledged its responsibility for her lawsuit, but no monetary settlement has been reached.
Describing the moment it happened, Mrs Kelsey said:
“I got my dog out the way and put my hands up to stop it landing on my foot but I couldn’t stop it as it was just too heavy.
My foot was so painful it nearly made me pass out. I have never felt such pain.”
The former catering group manager was rushed to the Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, by husband Alan.
On May 23, 2023, doctors placed plates and pins into her right foot, which had four fractures.
Amid concerns that a youngster would be murdered, she urged London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan and municipal officials throughout the city to look for any further “dangerous” park bins, according to an interview with the Standard.
Mrs. Kelsey had to resign from her job because she was unable to drive, cancel nights out, and give up her collection of high-heeled shoes since her foot was so swollen that she could no longer wear them. She has developed a limp.
She blasted:
“This has been the worst time in my life.
I am a very social and active person, but this has hit me hard as now I am mostly indoors. I have had to quit the job I love and now can’t go out and socialise with my girlfriends as I get too tired from my ankle and leg pain and all because of a bin.
I used to love getting dressed up and wearing high heels on nights, but I have just given away 17 pairs of shoes as I can’t wear them any more with my foot being so swollen.”
With sons ages two, eight, and sixteen, Mrs. Kelsey had a happy life before the disaster.
She also maintained her fitness level by frequently participating in charity fun races, such as Race for Life.
“I couldn’t look after the kids, work, or do anything as I had hardly any mobility,”
said Mrs Kelsey.
She took action against Tower Hamlets council with personal injury accident specialists Express Solicitors.
Senior associate lawyer Laura Penny-Vedrines said:
“Linda’s life changed after an unsecured heavy bin fell on her leg. She has lost her career over something that should never have happened.
It’s clear there is a significant lack of maintenance of some public spaces in the UK, and in cases like Linda’s, negligence leads to life-changing injuries.”
A Tower Hamlets spokesman said:
“As this is an ongoing legal matter we cannot comment further at this time.”
What safety measures are in place for park visitors after the bin incident?
To avoid tipping or falling hazards, heavy items like litter bins are regularly inspected to make sure they are sturdy, well anchored, and in good shape.
In order to improve general safety, parks manage their vegetation and layout to create clear sightlines that make possible hazards and impediments easy for personnel and visitors to see.
To warn guests about potential dangers, such as large machinery or uneven ground, warning signs are put up and kept up to date.
Visitors are better able to navigate parks securely and report concerns in a timely manner when safety information is made available through websites, pamphlets, and onsite signage.
In order for park officials to promptly address any problems, visitors are urged to report dangerous situations or broken equipment.