A night of two halves...

[Blownupdolly]

As I posted yesterday, we headed up to the Embankment to the disabled section in the crowd as we have done on previous occasions, to watch the stunning display. Parking was no problem. We even managed to get a space that allowed for us to get the wheelchair in and out of the car easily.

As we headed along the Embankment towards Big Ben I did note that there seemed to be heavier crowds than normal and it was only 7pm. We were stopped by Vodafone stewards handing out promotion bags. I told them we were going to the disabled section. I was told that it wasn't there this year as Vodafone were sponsoring the event and had taken over the entire section for corporate guests!! At this point I was mildly worried as there was no way we could fight our way back through the crowds. We decided the best thing to do was to park me up against the railings at the back of the Savoy hotel so that people wouldn't crush me or trip over my chair. As time went on my fears were being realised. The idiotic morons in charge of crowd control were not monitoring the situation and people started to get crushed. Women were crying and screaming. One lady, who stupidly bought a two yr old in a pushchair,held the baby up in the air asking others to take her out. I could feel myself getting panicky.

The final straw came when two men nearly came to blows because no one could move, and people started pushing each other. For the first time in my life I started having what I now know was a panic attack!! I couldn't breathe and my body started trembling uncontrollably. I am greatly in debt to Mr Dolly, and especially a very kind group of people including a lady who happened to be a heart and lung nurse. They all surrounded my wheelchair stopping people from crushing me.
The police were nowhere to be seen. People tried phoning 999 but couldn't even get a phone signal. In the end the nurse lady yelled at people to pass a message along the line as far as it needed to go to get the police to come help me.
I am so, so grateful to the 6 police officers who fought their way through to help get me out. They managed to create a very tight cordon around me until we reached a "sterile" area under Blackfriars bridge. My sense of relief was so great that the policeman holding my hand suggested I get seen by medics, but before I could reply, I started puking up !

WHAT A COMPLETE NIGHTMARE,!! I was so embarrassed, but relieved. When I explained to one of the officers about Vodafone taking away our disabled section section she was outraged and advised me to make official complaints to both them and Boris Johnson. I fully intend to!!

Once under the bridge we were told that there was no way to get out as the whole area was jam packed but we were allowed to stay in the safe area for the remainder of the night. We watched as the police went back in and got as many children as they could out of that section. It must have got worse as they eventually sent police horses in.
All I can say is that whoever was in charge of crowd safety in that section last night should be sacked. Far too many people were being allowed through.

[lal]

Glad you're OK dolly, sounds like a nightmare.

[giles]

Terrible for you and shocking of Vodaphone. Clearly shouldn't be allowed to sponsor any such event again.

[Blownupdolly]

Jan 1, 2014 15:52:26 GMT giles said:

Terrible for you and shocking of Vodaphone. Clearly shouldn't be allowed to sponsor any such event again.

Yes, I am so angry about it. Apart from myself, I was also very frightened for all the children caught up in it. This was the 5th time we have been to the fireworks and it has never come close to being like it was last night.
Apparently there was another small disabled section which is usually there but it was across the other side of Westminster bridge which was closed and because of the volume of crowds there was no possible way of making it there, which in effect left me high and dry.

[Deleted]

That's a disgrace. How can organisations get away with such discrimination at public events and yet the workplace has so much legislation to protect one and all. Typical hypocrisy.

Glad your okay Dolly x

[pebbles]

Jan 1, 2014 15:58:39 GMT Blownupdolly said:

Jan 1, 2014 15:52:26 GMT giles said:

Terrible for you and shocking of Vodaphone. Clearly shouldn't be allowed to sponsor any such event again.

Yes, I am so angry about it. Apart from myself, I was also very frightened for all the children caught up in it. This was the 5th time we have been to the fireworks and it has never come close to being like it was last night.
Apparently there was another small disabled section which is usually there but it was across the other side of Westminster bridge which was closed and because of the volume of crowds there was no possible way of making it there, which in effect left me high and dry.

that is shocking,I was telling my sister you was there after reading your post on here,we was saying what a wonderful experience as we watched on tv, how wrong could we have been,pleased you got home safely x

[lairey]

Oh no, that's awful Dolly. Was only thinking about how you got on a little while ago. I agree, definitely complain to Vodafone and Boris. I'd also be tempted to contact The Evening Standard. A definite case of corporate greed there.

I'm glad you're ok. Guess you'll be thinking of different plans next year

[Blownupdolly]

Jan 1, 2014 16:34:46 GMT lairey said:

Oh no, that's awful Dolly. Was only thinking about how you got on a little while ago. I agree, definitely complain to Vodafone and Boris. I'd also be tempted to contact The Evening Standard. A definite case of corporate greed there.

I'm glad you're ok. Guess you'll be thinking of different plans next year

As we were driving home we were listening to LBC Radio. They had several people sending in texts and emails about being caught up in it, so when I got home I emailed too. They read it out on air and said they were going to investigate, but I am still going to make my own complaints and yes, good idea about the Evening Standard. I shall drop them an email too.

The more I think about it, practically all of the crowd stewards were very young, obviously inexperienced, and for some strange reason pretty much all I spoke to had a brummies accent so I have a feeling they may have been bused in from elsewhere!

[chykensa]

Funny, I was relating your post last night to my Father-in-law (in his 80s and mildly disabled), and we agreed how wonderful it was for you to be allowed so close with such an unrivalled view. I even looked out for you as the cameras panned across the crowds!
What a horrible experience for you both, I hope that in the cold light of day you are now determined to make the most of this - Police, Boris, Vodafone, and as many daily papers as you have the energy for - they all need to know how wrong this situation was.
I sincerely hope it hasn't put you off attending public events in future - I have a close friend who is wheelchair-bound, so understand just how much thought needs to go into every expedition.
Vape on Blownupdolly!!!

[Raffles]

Oh Dolly, so sorry to hear that. I haven't seen anything on the news reports, all just backslapping and interviewing the 'right' people, so I guess it's being brushed under the carpet.

To go to a huge event like that for an able bodied person would be stressful, but I can't imagine the stress you must have been under when events unfolded. A panic attack is perfectly understandable.

Another medal for Mr D, and good on that group of people, and the police when they got there... it must have been a nightmare for them, with such lack of control by the organisers. How can anyone plan such an event without considering those less mobile... sounds as if we've gone back years, and haven't really learned from Hillsborough.

Best of luck with your complaints and hope they get to the right people who can take action. Glad you're home safe.

[newdawn]

The first thing I thought of last night whilst watching it on the telly was you. I could see the people packed in like sardines and said to the OH it was a good thing they had a special section for you because no way I'd like being trapped in like that. What an absolute shambles! Really hope someone steps up and acts positively for you on this one because it's totally unacceptable. Just really glad you're ok.

[Blownupdolly]

Jan 1, 2014 16:48:10 GMT chykensa said:

Funny, I was relating your post last night to my Father-in-law (in his 80s and mildly disabled), and we agreed how wonderful it was for you to be allowed so close with such an unrivalled view. I even looked out for you as the cameras panned across the crowds!
What a horrible experience for you both, I hope that in the cold light of day you are now determined to make the most of this - Police, Boris, Vodafone, and as many daily papers as you have the energy for - they all need to know how wrong this situation was.
I sincerely hope it hasn't put you off attending public events in future - I have a close friend who is wheelchair-bound, so understand just how much thought needs to go into every expedition.
Vape on Blownupdolly!!!

Hi Andy, yes, in previous years the section put aside for us was perfect. It is like large patio style area which has long wide steps down to the river wall with concrete slopes at the side for wheelchair access. Because we were lower down from the rest of the crowds it totally protected us from them. It is also only a couple of hundred yards from Westminster station which is the only disabled accessable station close by, although saying that, I wouldn't go via public transport on NYE.

It won't put me off trying to live as normal life as possible. Saying that, I am also aware of the many backward thinking people who still think we should stay out of everyone's way and see us as an inconvenience. I think I will be asking Vodafone if they feel this way. Certainly seems that way eh?

[Blownupdolly]

Jan 1, 2014 16:52:28 GMT Raffles said:

Oh Dolly, so sorry to hear that. I haven't seen anything on the news reports, all just backslapping and interviewing the 'right' people, so I guess it's being brushed under the carpet.

To go to a huge event like that for an able bodied person would be stressful, but I can't imagine the stress you must have been under when events unfolded. A panic attack is perfectly understandable.

Another medal for Mr D, and good on that group of people, and the police when they got there... it must have been a nightmare for them, with such lack of control by the organisers. How can anyone plan such an event without considering those less mobile... sounds as if we've gone back years, and haven't really learned from Hillsborough.

Best of luck with your complaints and hope they get to the right people who can take action. Glad you're home safe.

Funny you mention Hillsborough Raff. I have been a lifelong Liverpool fan and even stood in the old kop end a few times which could get hairy. Hillsborough was going through my mind last night as I was stuck in the middle. Certainly didn't help my state of mind.

[Raffles]

Jan 1, 2014 17:38:51 GMT Blownupdolly said:

Funny you mention Hillsborough Raff. I have been a lifelong Liverpool fan and even stood in the old kop end a few times which could get hairy. Hillsborough was going through my mind last night as I was stuck in the middle. Certainly didn't help my state of mind.

On a lighter note then Dolly, you'll be pleased they're back on track today.

[chrisjw]

Never a dull momentwith you around dolly............