Ref. 31128-60DISABLED Sue McCabe was dragged along the road when a cabbie drove off as she got into his taxi.

She has since won compensation for the injuries she suffered in the incident in Swindon.

Sue is urging taxi drivers to be more aware of the needs of people with mobility problems.

The accident happened as the 46-year-old, who suffers from wasting muscles on the left side of her body and uses a walking stick, was getting into a cab near Westlea police station. But the driver was not aware she was safely into the taxi before driving off.

"I was getting into the seat behind the driver and was half in when he drove off," she said.

"My left foot was caught under his seat, and I was dragged along the ground for a few seconds."

Luckily, Sue was sharing the cab with two other people, who yelled at the driver to stop.

Sue, a member of Swindon Council's Youth Offending Team, was left grazed, badly bruised and very shaken-up.

"It was absolutely horrific, she said.

"My leg was stuck, so there was nothing I could do.

"My left foot was badly bruised, and I had grazes on my right leg and arm."

To make matters worse, Sue said the driver showed little sympathy or consideration.

"I asked him to take me to the Great Western Hospital, but when we got there he didn't even open the door for me to get out," said Sue, who lives in the Railway Village.

Sue was so angry with the man's attitude that she decided to sue, and recently won damages, although she declined to say how much.

"I just couldn't believe it happened," she said.

"It was sheer neglect, he didn't bother to check that I was in the car before driving off.

"I wouldn't have taken action if he had said sorry, but he was so inconsiderate."

She would not say which company was involved.

Sue was helped by the Safer Swindon Shop the one-stop advice point in Havelock Street. "I wouldn't have known what to do without them," she said.

She was put in touch with Swindon solicitors' firm Bishop, Longbotham and Bagnall, who handled the case.

Sue says taxi drivers must recognise the difficulties faced by disabled people.

"We're not thick or stupid, we are just a bit slower than able bodied people," she said.

"Drivers need to double check to make sure people are in okay."

Eric Archer, who runs Central Taxis of Shrivenham Road, Swindon, said most drivers were considerate of disabled people.

"Out of all the drivers in Swindon I would say there are only a handful who are not helpful to disabled passengers," he said.

"If anyone is unhappy with the service, they should take the number of the cab and report the driver."

The Safer Swindon Shop can be contacted on 01793 525114.

Tamash Lal