This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-41444650
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Autistic man 'refused help' on train calls for awareness | Autistic man 'refused help' on train calls for awareness |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A man with a severe form of autism who was told he could not board a train by a guard is calling for more awareness of the condition on public transport. | A man with a severe form of autism who was told he could not board a train by a guard is calling for more awareness of the condition on public transport. |
Andrew Edwards, 32, from Wrexham, travelled to Lord's cricket ground in London with his nephew on the train. | Andrew Edwards, 32, from Wrexham, travelled to Lord's cricket ground in London with his nephew on the train. |
But he said he was left distressed as he tried to get home after a "rude" guard did not help him with his ticket and the train left without him. | But he said he was left distressed as he tried to get home after a "rude" guard did not help him with his ticket and the train left without him. |
Virgin Trains said it had contacted both customers to apologise. | |
Mr Edwards told BBC Wales' X-Ray programme his autism can leave him easily stressed and he has obsessive behaviours, which can "lead to meltdowns". | Mr Edwards told BBC Wales' X-Ray programme his autism can leave him easily stressed and he has obsessive behaviours, which can "lead to meltdowns". |
One of his passions is cricket and when he decided to travel to Lord's to watch England v South Africa, his 21-year-old nephew, Louis Beckley, agreed to go with him to act as a carer. | One of his passions is cricket and when he decided to travel to Lord's to watch England v South Africa, his 21-year-old nephew, Louis Beckley, agreed to go with him to act as a carer. |
The pair bought train tickets in advance in the form of M-tickets - tickets on a mobile phone - with Mr Edwards admitting: "Planning is very important, because with autism you have to plan. I don't like the unknown." | The pair bought train tickets in advance in the form of M-tickets - tickets on a mobile phone - with Mr Edwards admitting: "Planning is very important, because with autism you have to plan. I don't like the unknown." |
They said the journey from Chester to London went well, but their return did not go so smoothly, despite arriving at Euston station an hour and a half early. | They said the journey from Chester to London went well, but their return did not go so smoothly, despite arriving at Euston station an hour and a half early. |
When they tried to board their train, they handed Mr Edwards' phone to the Virgin Trains guard, with their journey details displayed on the screen. | When they tried to board their train, they handed Mr Edwards' phone to the Virgin Trains guard, with their journey details displayed on the screen. |
But they said the guard was "very rude and unhelpful", insisting he could not see a valid barcode on the M-ticket. | But they said the guard was "very rude and unhelpful", insisting he could not see a valid barcode on the M-ticket. |
Mr Edwards explained he had autism and asked for extra assistance to activate the ticket, but the guard refused to help. | Mr Edwards explained he had autism and asked for extra assistance to activate the ticket, but the guard refused to help. |
'Respect and dignity' | 'Respect and dignity' |
Mr Beckley said: "Uncle Andrew was very stressed, inconsolable once he realised that they weren't going to let us on the train." | Mr Beckley said: "Uncle Andrew was very stressed, inconsolable once he realised that they weren't going to let us on the train." |
Mr Edwards, who lives in Gwersyllt, added: "I said to the guard that was rude to us, 'I want to go home, I want to get home and see my mum'." | Mr Edwards, who lives in Gwersyllt, added: "I said to the guard that was rude to us, 'I want to go home, I want to get home and see my mum'." |
The pair rushed to the ticket office where they were given help to activate the ticket on the phone. But, having missed their train, they then had to pay £110 for new tickets. | The pair rushed to the ticket office where they were given help to activate the ticket on the phone. But, having missed their train, they then had to pay £110 for new tickets. |
Mr Edwards said he was not given the respect, dignity and support that train companies are supposed to give to disabled passengers. | Mr Edwards said he was not given the respect, dignity and support that train companies are supposed to give to disabled passengers. |
"There's loads of people with autism out there and the thing is, it's more understood in a lot of quarters than it's ever been, but there's so much further to go," he added. | "There's loads of people with autism out there and the thing is, it's more understood in a lot of quarters than it's ever been, but there's so much further to go," he added. |
A Virgin Trains spokesman said: "They will both be refunded in full and offered an additional gesture of goodwill so we can restore their confidence in travelling with us." | |
Rail companies operate a system called JourneyCare for passengers with additional or special needs. | |
It allows people to register their details and any help they require, so companies can make the necessary arrangements. | |
X-Ray is on BBC One Wales at 19:30 BST on Monday, 2 October | X-Ray is on BBC One Wales at 19:30 BST on Monday, 2 October |
Previous version
1
Next version