Carer put under curfew after disabled woman's escalator fall

Debbie McWhannell ignored signs warning not to take wheelchairs on the escalator

A carer has been electronically tagged after a disabled woman she was looking after fell down an escalator and later died in hospital.

Debbie McWhannell, 33, pushed 71-year-old Catherine Muir's wheelchair onto the escalator at Easterhouse Shopping Centre in July 2023 because the lift was out of order but lost control and it fell down.

Ms Muir, who was non-verbal and had various medical conditions, suffered a broken jaw. She died in hospital 11 days later having contracted pneumonia.

McWhannell, from Glasgow, ignored a sign that warned against putting wheelchairs on an escalator.

She pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to an offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Sheriff Shona Gilroy tagged McWhannell for six months, keeping her indoors between 20:00 and 09:00 as an "alternative to custody".

McWhannell, a supported living assistant for Inclusion Scotland, had initially taken Ms Muir, who was prone to dizziness, up an escalator at the shopping centre.

When they descended, McWhannell held onto the wheelchair with one hand.

Prosecutor Kristina Reilly said: "When the wheelchair with Catherine [Muir] strapped in began to descend, McWhannell lost her grip completely and the wheelchair tumbled to the bottom."

Ms Muir, from Dunoon, Argyll and Bute, suffered a head injury and a fractured left jaw which required surgery, including restoring displaced bones using rods and screws.

She was placed in the high dependency unit but contracted pneumonia and died 11 days later.

'Horrible mistake'

Catherine's brother Donald and sister Janet said they did not want McWhannell to be jailed.

"She made a horrible mistake and she will have to live with that for the rest of her days - it should never have happened," they said.

"It was a sad loss - she lived 72 years and to die that way is just tragic. It's been a disaster."

The family said they hoped the incident would raise awareness about escalators.

They added: "I can't imagine what was in her head - Catherine was not a wee lightweight and had a bulky wheelchair.

"To even attempt to go down an escalator - I can't imagine why, it's shocking."

McWhannell was suspended from her job pending an investigation.

Ian McCarthy, defending, said: "She deeply regrets her involvement in this matter and that it took place."

Sheriff Gilroy described it as an "utterly tragic" case.

She said: "This was an isolated incident caused by a dreadful decision made by an otherwise law abiding member of society.

"A prison sentence of up to 26 weeks would not help rehabilitation and I am persuaded there is an alternative to custody."