A disabled woman left in excruciating pain after “rude” train passengers took her seat has called for stricter rules on reservations.
Pamela Freeland was left “battered and bruised” when a nightmare journey home ruined a very rare trip out from her Ellon home.
The mum-of-two, who is bed-ridden around 90% of the time, was taken by her nurse carer and friends to a Take That concert in Glasgow for her birthday.
But joy quickly turned to misery when a group refused to give up their seats, even though she was on crutches and “clearly disabled and in great pain”.
Now she wants Scotrail bosses to guarantee reservations and give powers to guards to enforce them.
Mrs Freeland has been a self-described “walking medical encyclopaedia” since problems with the delivery of her first child 19 years ago.
A combination of syndromes leave her unable to complete many basic tasks unaided – with the physical symptoms greatly worsened by stress.
So she was left dumbstruck by the “lack of compassion and human kindness” shown by the defiant passengers who refused pleas to move.
Reservations on the Edinburgh to Aberdeen service were suspended because a delay meant staff could not place tickets on seat backs.
A man sat at the table gave up his place amid outcry from other passengers but the three women sat firm – and then talked loudly about her.
Eventually the guard – for whom she has nothing but praise – found alternative seats for her and her nurse and best friend Jacueline Munro.
But while she was forced to stand and make the tricky walk to another carriage she suffered injuries from which she is still to recover.
“I can’t believe I’ve been left battered and bruised because three ‘ladies’ wouldn’t move,” she said.
“I’m still flat due to muscle spasms four days later.
“I really don’t know how I’ll cope in the future regarding rail travel. As if I didn’t have enough to deal with.”
She praised the “compassion” of the guard who looked after her but said it was ridiculous that he had no powers to intervene.
A ScotRail Alliance spokesman said they were happy to discuss the issue with Mrs Freeland.
“We were concerned to hear of Pamela’s experience, and hope that she has made a full recovery,” he added.
