Disabled man's agony after fall

Stephen Doherty (46) of Lennoxtown suffered cracked ribs after the accident outside Alessio’s Cafe at Cowgate.

The ramp was installed for pedestrians while roadworks are 
carried out as part of the shared space project in Kirkintilloch town centre.

People rushed to help Stephen when his wheelchair crashed to the ground, including the owner of the cafe, 
Alessio Fedi.

Stephen is a regular 
customer of the cafe and was 
going to meet friends there when the accident happened.

He told the Herald: “I had to turn my wheelchair 
round to go up the ramp backwards and it caught on an uneven 
bit of the temporary tarmac.

“The chair tipped over and I ended up on the ground. It was a scary experience.”

He added: “Lots of people came to my aid. They grabbed me under both arms and helped me up.

“I would like to thank everyone who helped get me back into my wheelchair.”

Stephen said he didn’t feel too bad immediately after 
the accident but the following morning he woke up in 
agony.

He added: “My doctor diagnosed cracked ribs. 
Unfortunately there is no treatment for this except 
rest and I am also on strong painkillers.”

Stephen told the Herald he now feels nervous about the thought of going anywhere on his own in the wheelchair.

Cafe owner Alessio said 
the temporary ramp was 
“definitely not good for people in wheelchairs.”

He added: “Stephen is a regular customer at the cafe. .

“I was working when the accident happened.

“I went out and a crowd of people were around him and helped him up.

“His wheelchair obviously caught on the ‘lip’ of the 
ramp and tipped over. It’s a bit uneven.”

The Herald contacted East Dunbartonshire Council after the accident.

Thomas Glen, Depute Chief Executive – Place, Neighbourhood & Corporate Assets, said: “The Council’s contractor Rainton, has inspected the area and found no issues with the ramp.

“Rainton workers helped the gentleman in question 
after his fall and we wish him a speedy recovery.”