Bexhill pensioner breaks eye socket after trip on uneven pavement

Sylvia Kent, 86, of Cooden Drive, sustained cuts and bruises to her face, torso and legs following the fall in Devonshire Road.

She will also have to undergo surgery in hospital in the near future.

The pensioner was on her way to Iceland to do her shopping when the accident happened.

Sylvia said: “I spent seven hours in A&E after the fall and they discovered my left eye socket was broken. I smashed my glasses as well and was upset as I’d not had them long. The pavements in Bexhill are totally uneven. On the same day another lady had fallen and was taken away by ambulance. Whenever I walk there I see ambulances due to people falling on the pavements.”

Sylvia’s daughter, Anne Coles, has this week written to both Rother District and East Sussex County Councils, calling for Bexhill’s town centre pavements to be made safe. She said: “My mother’s face was ‘glued’ where her cuts were deep as they (doctors) were unable to stitch due to the swelling. She has now got to attend the special fracture clinic at Eastbourne DGH for maxillofacial surgery. It will take months for my mother’s wounds to heal. She has endured excruciating pain. How many more people will have to take tumbles on these surfaces before any remedial works are carried out to make it safe for Bexhill residents? I myself walked both sides of Devonshire Road and was absolutely aghast at the condition of the pavements.”

An East Sussex County Council spokesman said: “We are sorry to hear about Mrs Kent’s fall and wish her a speedy recovery. We have spoken to the family and have asked one of our stewards to examine the stretch of pavement in question.

“This section of Devonshire Road contains a number of areas of forecourt in front of the shops which are the responsibility of the property owners rather than the council. We work very hard to ensure the pavements in Bexhill and across the county which we are responsible for are maintained in a safe condition. We investigate any reports we receive and carry out repair work where appropriate.”

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