Many of you will know the name Geoff Holt MBE. He was the first quadriplegic yachtsman to sail solo around Great Britain and the first quadriplegic yachtsman to cross the Atlantic Ocean.
He did both from his electric wheelchair that he relies on to get him around on land as well as out at sea.
Geoff got in touch with VB this morning to reveal what he described as intimidating and humiliating discrimination encountered on an Island Line Train yesterday.
After hearing the story, VB got in touch with Island Line Trains straight away, who responded in horror at the description of events. See their response below.
Refused access to train
Geoff explained that he’d travelled (in his electric wheelchair) on the train on Sunday morning from Ryde Esplanade to the Pier Head without problem.
However, on his return journey later in the day he was met with opposition by the train guard, who said, “Those things aren’t allowed on these trains, they will damage the floors.”
The guard pointed at Geoff’s wheelchair and said he’d been, “told by his bosses to refuse all electric wheelchairs, and to only allow pushchairs and manual wheelchairs on trains.”
Geoff explained that he’d travelled earlier in the day on the train by the same method, to which the guard replied, “Rubbish, you would not have been allowed to board the train.”
Grazed and bleeding
After further discussion, the guard eventually threw down the small ramp to enable Geoff to get on the train in his electric wheelchair.
Unfortunately, it hit Geoff’s foot and leg in the process and when he got home, he discovered that he was grazed and bleeding. Something he wasn’t aware of at the time, due to being paralysed and unable to feel in his legs and feet.
Geoff has since confirmed to VB that he has filed an assault charge with the Police against the train guard.
“Felt violated and de-humanised”
After he was eventually allowed to board the train, Geoff says that he was subjected to attempts by the guard to ridicule and humiliate him for the three minute journey to the Esplanade.
By the time he reached the esplanade, Geoff said he “felt violated and de-humanised – he had publicly humiliated me, he had publicly degraded me and he had made me feel like a worthless piece of dirt.”
Island Line employee suspended
We got in touch with Island Line about the events described by Mr Holt.
A spokesperson told VB, “We are absolutely horrified at the events Mr Holt has described. We welcome electric wheelchairs on our services and it is very important to us that all of our passengers feel welcome on our network.
“We are taking this matter very seriously and have already launched an investigation. A senior manager has contacted Mr Holt directly to apologise. We can also confirm that one of our employees has been suspended while our investigation is underway.”
You can read Geoff’s full description of the event on his blog.
He did both from his electric wheelchair that he relies on to get him around on land as well as out at sea.
