SHOCKING: Caravan steps broke my leg!
Dave Lucas , 2nd April 2016, Caravan
Reader Dave Lucas wrote in to tell us about his accident with a set of 'open' metal caravan steps. While he accepts that the accident was completely his fault, he wants caravanners to be aware of the dangers. Read on to find out what happened, in Dave's own words.
Images courtesy Dave Lucas
My wife and I decided to take our touring caravan to Mid Wales for a few days in March 2014. Our favourite place is the Elan Valley, just under 3 miles from Rhayader. We originally booked two nights but because of the weather and the site we booked a further two nights. We may have stayed even longer but ....
Unlucky morning
Unfortunately on the Saturday morning at about 9:30 I did the most stupid thing possible. After emptying the toilet and grey waste water, I put my foot on the end of our steps, which then tipped over and while I was in the air my left foot went between the steps.
Now: steps going one way and me going the other, there was only one outcome, yes - broken left leg. I must add my stupid accident was nothing to do with the site, it was totally my own fault, in future the steps will be pegged down!
Excellent NHS service
After an uncomfortable journey in an ambulance to Aberystwyth through the mountains, at least 36 miles, we arrived at the hospital. After examination and an x-ray it was found I had a very nasty fracture just below the knee.
They only put a half cast on my leg to allow for the swelling, telling me to attend my local hospital ASAP because they knew we were on holiday. To our amazement the hospital paid for a taxi back to Elan Oaks camp site, a 72 mile round trip for them!
Family rallies round
Luckily my daughter and son in law, on hearing I had fractured my tibia, immediately drove the 100 odd miles from Staffordshire, where we all live, ready to tow my caravan back on the following day. I had to ring my insurance company to get my son-in-law insured to drive my car.
I had to receive physiotherapy for about two months. I was told I could start driving again from the 1st August - almost four and a half months!
Warning to all caravanners
The moral of this story is be very, very careful when using caravan steps, ours are now pegged down and are one-piece moulded plastic, with no gap between the treads where your leg can get entangled .
Please don't think and say: "I/we have been caravanning for 'N' years and it has never happened to us." This is what an accident is and it can happen to anyone, at any time.
The radiographer at Aberystwyth hospital said she has seen dozens of similar injuries to mine caused by caravan steps tipping over, be warned.
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