'I had an epileptic fit after I was left stranded on a Stagecoach bus alone' claims Gloucester resident
LEFT alone on a bus in freezing temperatures at night, epileptic Paul Prouse, from Longlevens, feared the worst when his driver hopped off the bus at the end of his shift.
A replacement driver was due to take over as the Stagecoach bus from Hereford to Gloucester pulled over in Ross-on-Wye.
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FRIGHTENED: Paul Prouse.
But due to icy road conditions and heavy snow a replacement driver didn't show so he was left alone.
Paul, 32, suffers from post concussion syndrome after a crash in 2005 and fatigue or stress can bring on an epileptic seizure. Minutes after the driver departed at 8.30pm, Paul had an epileptic fit and blacked out.
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He came round an hour later and called the emergency services himself.
Speaking about the incident which happened at the end of last month, he said:"It was very stressful and a frightening experience to be left alone, particularly as it was so cold," he said.
"Luckily I had my mobile phone with me and called the emergency services. The paramedics arrived with the police, who took him to his parent's house in Longlevens.
"When I complained to Stagecoach, all I got was a letter saying they had a duty of care to passengers and drivers and that they were sorry," he said.
"This shouldn't have happened. Stagecoach should at least reimburse the emergency services for wasting their time and give me a formal apology.
"It is disgraceful."
Paul, who works part-time for the Headway charity treating people with brain injuries, said it was a traumatic experience for him and his parents, who didn't see their son until 11.15pm that night.
A spokesman for Stagecoach said: "We were very concerned to hear of this issue when it was brought to our attention.
"Safety is our absolute priority and during extreme weather conditions, it can be necessary to suspend services in certain areas to protect the safety of our customers and staff.
"This particular matter is currently being handled by our claims department and is still being investigated. As a result, we are not able to provide any further information at this time."
Amanda Cleaver of the Epilepsy Society, said the incident underlined how little most people know of epilepsy. She said: "It's a very individual and unrecognised condition."
7 Comments
by honslknjklyt
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 11:09AM
“money money money”
by BenefitsRUs1
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 8:41AM
“It could not have been that much of an emergency if they did not take him to casualty. Sounds to me like he got a free a taxi ride. A complete waste of taxpayers money.”
by supernova1
Tuesday, February 19 2013, 8:58PM
“Jewbacca.......I wouldn't go that far.
Don't get me wrong, I have sympathy for the guy, but I'm guessing his parents know about his condition, therefore they cannot be THAT surprised.
As for himself, sure, sh!t happens, but I truly wonder about people that play the 'victim' all the time.
And how is money going to make his experience any better?
If it happened to me, I would want some assurance that it could not happen the same again.”
by Jewbacca
Tuesday, February 19 2013, 4:30PM
“I smell a male adult acting like a complete blouse, supernova!”
by supernova1
Tuesday, February 19 2013, 11:11AM
“Exactly why has Mr Prouse gone to TiG, before the claims dept has contacted him?
While this case is VERY unfortunate, these things can, and do, happen.
Luckily Mr Prouse lives in a world of mobile phones, so will not have suffered much longer than if the bus had been full of people and someone else called the emergency services.
He says '..............it was a traumatic experience for him and his parents, who didn't see their son until 11.15pm that night'. Well, if the driver left him at 8.30pm, and he woke about an hour later, then that would have been about the time his family expected him home.
Now I'm no expert, but I do watch Holby & Casualty, and they ALWAYS say 'is there someone we can contact for you?
And even if they didn't, Mr Prouse could have called them, or actually asked the services to do it.
I think I smell the 'c' word............you know 'compo'......................”
by Lecorche
Tuesday, February 19 2013, 9:53AM
“Did the Driver tell Mr.Prouse what was happening?”
by raidermanuk
Tuesday, February 19 2013, 9:37AM
“"This particular matter is currently being handled by our claims department and is still being investigated"
And when the Citizen asked Mr Prouse whether he would be making a claim (for what and how much) against Stagecoach his answer was?”