Woman breaks shoulder after falling down manhole

Georgina Heyburn said she asked for compensation after the accident

A woman has demanded compensation from a council after breaking her shoulder when she fell into a manhole.

Georgina Heyburn, 47, was walking her two dogs in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, in January when she tried to walk around a loose manhole cover but slipped and dropped into the hole.

According to Local Democracy Reporting Service, Ms Heyburn said the accident left her needing physiotherapy and hydrocortisone injections for the pain.

Buckinghamshire Council initially refused to take responsibility for the fall and denied that the manhole was its property, but it has now repaired the manhole.

The council have repaired the manhole cover

The council originally said the manhole belonged to UK Power Networks (UKPN).

In a U-turn, the authority admitted the manhole was its property and apologised to Ms Heyburn, from High Wycombe, who was "petrified" by her fall.

She added: "I am only small, and I thought I was going to be stuck in there forever."

A council spokesperson said: “On closer inspection of the site and following discussions with UKPN, it has been clarified that the manhole is a redundant traffic signals chamber which belongs to the council.

“It had been cordoned off, but the barriers had been removed, leaving the site exposed without our knowledge."

The spokesperson added: “We have apologised to UKPN for the mix up and have also given our sincere apologies to the resident who has logged a claim which is currently being processed.

“The area has been made safe once again and highways crews are in the process of making arrangements to permanently remove the chamber.”