Welsh Paralympic legend Lady Tanni Grey-Thompson faced a distressing situation when she was forced to crawl off a train as no assistance was provided upon her arrival at King’s Cross station in London. The former athelete, who competed in five Paralympic Games between 1988 and 2004 and won a total of 16 medals, took to Twitter to express her frustration at the lack of support from London North Eastern Railway (LNER).
In a series of frantic messages to the company, Tanni detailed her predicament, indicating that no staff members were present to help her disembark from the train, even after the cleaning crew had left. Despite receiving reassurances from an LNER staff member that help would be provided shortly, Tanni ultimately had to resort to crawling off the train by herself, moving her belongings onto the platform to ensure her safe exit.
The incident sparked outrage on social media, with individuals criticising LNER for failing to assist a disabled passenger. The train company issued a statement acknowledging the situation and stated that they were investigating the matter and in contact with Lady Tanni Grey-Thompson directly.
Lady Tanni had been travelling to London before heading to the upcoming Paralympics in Paris. Reflecting on the ordeal, she shared her disappointment at the lack of support upon her arrival, emphasising the challenges she faced in having to crawl off the train and manage her luggage on her own.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of providing adequate support and assistance to passengers with disabilities to ensure their safety and comfort while travelling.