Grandmother's stairlift plunge

Jenny Owen was forced to move into a bungalow

A disabled grandmother who was sent "flying through the air" when her stairlift went wrong has been handed £8,000 compensation.

Jenny Owen, from Beddau, near Pontypridd, south Wales, had been trying to take a gentle ride down her flight of 14 stairs on the motorised lift four years ago.

But the 50-year-old, who has arthritis, ended up "in a heap on the floor" after bolts on the stairlift snapped - she was treated for bruises and shock.

After the incident, she was too scared to use the stairlift again, and was forced to leave the terraced house she had lived in for 30 years.

Ms Owen, who has three grandchildren, now lives in a bungalow.

"I still have flashbacks about flying through the air," she said.

"There is no way I would go on any stairlift again."

I have lost my home, my mobility and my independence - all because of that stairlift

Jenny Owen

Ms Owen, who was left disabled in a car crash 30 years ago, said she had used the stairlift for years without any problems.

"But I got on it that morning and the next thing I was flying through the air and ended up in a heap on the floor - it was dreadful."

Ms Owen added that she still missed living in her old home.

"I loved my house - it had a huge garden and I had the inside exactly as I wanted it.

"My place now is dark and depressing and there is no garden.

"I have lost my home, my mobility and my independence - all because of that stairlift."

Accident investigated

She has agreed the compensation with the firm that manufactures the lift.

The accident was investigated by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, which fitted the stairlift.

The council's insurance manager Mark Stephens said it was pleased the claim had been settled.

"Our investigation revealed the accident may have been due to a manufacturing fault," he said.

"We passed our findings on to the manufacturer's insurers."