actress Ruth Madley Tells how a taxi driver took her wheelchair after an argument outside London train station.
Bafta nominee, who starred BBC One The TV series year after year say that men refuse to leave her outside Euston The barrier-free entrance of the station is “too difficult” and “takes too long” because of heavy traffic.
The 33-year-old man with spina bifida said that the driver told her that he saw her stand up, “knowing that I can walk”, and then asked for the fare, even though the fare had been prepaid.
During the dispute, Madley said he took her wheelchair, put it in the trunk of his car, and refused to return it.
She wrote on Instagram: “When I tried to explain this on the street, he became very excited and completely depressed. Without warning, he took my wheelchair from behind me and moved it away. In the trunk of his taxi, let me continue to the side of the road.
“When I asked for it back, he refused.”
She added that she was traveling with her mother and she was able to retrieve the chair from the driver, “although he tried his best to stop her.”
Transport for London called the incident “shocking” and said it would investigate.
Graham Robinson, TfL’s general manager of taxis and private leasing, said in a statement: “This sounds like a totally appalling incident.
“We have contacted Ruth for more details so that we can conduct a comprehensive and urgent investigation.”
Madley said she had reported the incident to the Metropolitan Police Department, but was told it was not a “hate crime.”
She added: “I was shut down and made me feel like I was fussing about doing nothing.”
The incident happened last month when it was announced that Madley would star in the BBC Two factual drama “Independence Day”? How disability rights are won, co-authored by Bafta’s award-winning screenwriter and playwright Jack Thorne.
Screenwriter Russell T. Davis, TV presenter Lucy Alexander And actress Anna Nightingale was one of the people who shared supporting information.
