Wheelchair user stranded on platform on hottest day of year cried as staff ‘didn’t want to help’

Avanti West Coast staff reportedly refused to help Chris Nicholson over health and safety concerns and the former rugby player was forced to burst into tears as he was forced to shuffle up the stairs by himself

A disabled man stranded in his wheelchair on a train platform on the hottest day of the year was left crying as he dragged himself up a flight of stairs when staff refused to help him.

Former rugby player Chris Nicholson, who looked visibly emotional and tired, spoke about his ordeal in an Instagram Story post, saying it was “one of the worst days in a long time”.

Chris was stuck at Milton Keynes station on Friday when his train to London was canceled due to a fire on the train line and “all sorts of problems” as Britain sweltered in 31C.

Chris, who had played rugby for England Under 16, 18 and 20 after being hauled off the train, wanted to take the lift to another platform but found it hadn’t been working for a week.

But he says Avanti West Coast staff refused to help him up a flight of stairs for “health and safety reasons” and instead said he had to wait five hours on the platform while others crossed over and were on the next train within 40 minutes caught .

To make matters worse, Chris was in dire need of a toilet and as there were no disabled facilities he was also told that he could not use the disabled toilets as they too were out of service.

He explained that the pressure on his bladder puts pressure on his back and Chris, teary-eyed, said he had to make the decision to drag himself up the stairs.

“Long story short I had to lug the stairs up and it was two floors and Avanti said they couldn’t and wouldn’t help me for health and safety reasons and for all the other reasons they felt it was too much of a risk for her,” he said.

“As a customer of theirs, they weren’t willing to help me, they weren’t even willing to take my f****** bags. I brought my bags up on the first flight, using one hand to pull my chair sideways to go up the steps. A gentleman from platform one saw me fight and helped me.”

Chris broke down in tears halfway up the agonizing climb, prompting the station’s assistant manager to “get started with the launch” to tell the manager that “we have to help him as he looks distressed,” he said .

“If this ever happens to anyone in your family, I hope you remember that situation and think about how much this affected me because I would hate if your family members had to go through this,” Chris said.

Finally arriving in London, Chris told his 28,000 followers that his “back was in pieces”.

“I have a lot of pain because of my back because I had to fight, literally get up and drag my body and my chair up a flight of stairs until people realized it was me struggling and so they came and helped,” he said.

He thanked those who helped him and his pregnant wife, Fay Sambrook, who “dropped everything” to drive to her husband.

Chris’ rugby career was cut short when he was left paralyzed and in a coma after an accident on the pitch.

He was left with spinal cord and brain injuries and nearly died three times in hospital.

Avanti West Coast has been contacted for comment.