New Forest: Day out ruined after mum falls into manhole at Travelodge

Jonathan Branton, 52, was travelling to Bournemouth beach with his wife Naeun, 50, and daughter Ashley, 15, when the accident happened.

After a four-hour drive from Wiltshire, the family stopped at Rufus Stone Services on the A31.

Naeun helped Ashley, who is disabled, step onto the curb of the Travelodge car park.

But as she turned to the car, she fell knee-deep into a manhole after the cover suddenly flipped. 

Jonathan turned around to find his South Korean wife wedged between the heavy metal cover and the hole.

He said: “It took me a couple of seconds to realise what was happening, she was just walking in the car park and now was stuck. I couldn’t believe it.”

The 52-year-old pulled the heavy cover which was trapping his wife’s lower body and got Naeun out.

His wife suffered extensive bruising and scrapes to her arm and leg.

Jonathan said: “It was heartbreaking to see her like that. It was as if someone had taken a cheese grater and had scraped her leg. She was in so much pain.”

After receiving first aid from staff at the Travelodge, the family continued their journey down to Bournemouth beach.

"My wife prioritised my daughter so we did end up going to the beach for an hour so she could have her fun day out. But she was still in a lot of pain."

The man hole in which Naeun fell in (Image: Jonathan Branton)

The following day, the pair went to A&E where after eight hours, scans revealed no broken bones.

Travelodge has since said that safety is of "paramount importance", adding that this was an "isolated incident".

But Jonathan says he is still waiting for someone to take responsibility for the accident on Saturday, September 9.

He said: "I am really frustrated. If a child had fallen on that they would be dead and there would be serious questions but in this case, no one is taking responsibility.

"It was a nightmare from hell."

A Travelodge spokesperson said: "We are very sorry to hear of Mrs Branton's experience, this is an unfortunate and isolated incident.

"Safety is of paramount importance to us and as a duty of care, we carry out regular safety checks inside and outside of our hotels.

"In response to this incident, we have conducted a comprehensive investigation and our findings have revealed that the damage to this manhole had been created following our last check.

"The area is now cordoned off and the repair is scheduled to be completed as soon as possible.  

"Our customer services team are currently liaising with Mr Branton to address his concerns.” 

Jonathan also reported the incident to Southern Water whose investigation found "no defects in any of our equipment or assets".