Southern Rail 'refused to help disabled woman because train was running late'

A mum has accused Southern Rail of “punishing” her for being disabled after staff allegedly refused to help her board a train because they were running late.

Rebecca Bartholomew, 37, who uses a wheelchair, said a ticket inspector for the beleaguered company would not help because the service was three minutes behind schedule.

The mum of one was left stranded on the platform as the train pulled away, meaning she missed a hospital appointment.

The accusation is the latest in a long line of negative press for the company, owned by Govia Thameslink, which has been hit by strikes, overrunning engineering works and a significant increase in sick leave among staff.

Bartholomew claimed the inspector told her it was “Southern Rail policy” not to help the disabled if a train is running late.

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She said: “I am furious that Southern Rail are punishing me because I am disabled.

“It is not my fault that the train was delayed yet I am the one who has suffered and missed my hospital appointment.”

Rebecca arrived 25 minutes early at Chichester train station, West Sussex on Wednesday to catch the train for a hospital appointment in Brighton, 33 miles away.

When the train arrived she put her leg in the door to try and board the train but claims an inspector tricked her after promising to help.

She said he asked her to move her leg but when she did so he closed the doors and told Rebecca to wait for the next train.

The mum then complained to a customer service assistant who turned her away with a pamphlet.

Rebecca, from Pagham, West Sussex, said: “I stuck my leg in the door so that they know I need some assistance, but when the inspector came he said he would help me if I moved my leg.

“As soon as I took my leg out, the doors closed and he said that I needed to call ahead and book assistance.”

In 2015 Rebecca suffered a stroke when an artery at the back of her neck split.

She said: “I suffered three weeks of migraines before I collapsed at home and my five-year-old had to call me an ambulance.

“I was rushed to Brighton General where it took three days to find the bleed on my brain. I was given a 20 per cent chance of survival, so luckily I made it through but the damage had already been done and I was paralysed in the right side of my body.”

“I was a hugely independent person before I had my stroke and it was a real struggle to come to terms with what had happened.”

She added: “I understand that Southern Rail have been in the press about being late all of the time, but I’m sure people would understand if it was to help a disabled passenger on board.

“This treatment is really wrong and I want people to be aware of what they’re doing.

“I do have my pride, but I feel so embarrassed by what happened I don’t feel as if I can go back to the station.

“My disability shouldn’t make my disability feel less worthy to get transport or do basic things in life and I want train companies to know that.”

Southern Rail have been approached for a comment.