Escalator toe rip man 'still suffering'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-35069011

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A man whose big toe was ripped off when his foot became trapped in an escalator still experiences pain almost four years later.

Michael Reddington says he has also suffered mental health issues, including flashbacks and night terrors.

It happened in the West End Arcade in Nottingham, on an escalator that had not been properly maintained.

Managing agents Hodgson Elkington LLP admitted health and safety breaches and are due to be sentenced on Monday.

Mr Reddington was on his way to work in March 2012 when his foot became trapped in a gap that had opened up at the top of the escalator.

According to Nottingham City Council, the lighting in the area was poor so he would not have noticed the danger.

Hodgson Elkington LLP admitted failing to maintain the escalator properly and in a safe condition. They also admitted that systems to monitor safety on a daily basis were ineffective.

Mr Reddington, now 27, said: "I dread to think what further damage would have been caused if the escalator hadn't stopped.

"If the gap was big enough to fit a 24-year-old man's size nine foot in, imagine if that was a child or an elderly person."

"Obviously the escalator was still moving," he said.

"Initially I thought my foot was going to be crushed, then I thought I could feel something being ripped off."

He screamed for help and a man from a nearby barbershop turned the escalator off.

As well as losing his big toe, the two toes next to it were permanently damaged.

"There were lots of broken bones and flesh ripped away," said Mr Reddington.

He taught himself to walk again, but getting around is still painful, particularly as he is on his feet all day working as an electrician.

"It's extremely painful, but that's just something I've gotten used to," he said.

He is due to have further surgery in February.

One good thing did come out of the accident, in that Mr Reddington decided to pursue his dreams of being a singer and songwriter.

He started writing songs while stuck at home during his recovery and recently released his first EP.

"When the accident happened I came to realise, after a lot of soul searching, that life is too short and I'm going to follow my dreams," he said.