Anger over parking ticket as daughter chokes on a crisp in Greenwich

BY CALUM FRASER calum@slpmedia.co.uk

David Morse panicked when his three-year-old daughter started to choke violently in the car.

The Lewisham resident quickly pulled over and dislodged the crisp stuck in Mia’s throat.

She was so distressed that she couldn’t get back in the car, so he took her for a 10-minute walk.

But by the time he returned he had received a parking ticket from Greenwich council.

He said: “Once I had dislodged the blockage from my daughter’s throat and given her some water to drink, I tried to get her back in the car seat.

“But she became very distressed and I simply couldn’t get her back in. Mr Morse, who lives in Ladycroft Road, sent an email to Greenwich council explaining the situation.

He hoped they would be sympathetic to his predicament.

He said: “I was more outraged by the reception I got from the team at the parking enforcement. They didn’t seem to care.

“They said they had considered my appeal, but didn’t find a sufficient reason to uphold it.

“I think my daughter’s health and safety is a pretty good reason. I feel like it has been handled really poorly on their part and I was pretty upset, as you can imagine.”

The incident took place on March 4 this year, when the London Big Half marathon was taking place.

He received the ticket in Norman Road. He has now paid the parking ticket because he was worried about the possibility of the fine being increased.

He said: “I have had one parking ticket in my entire life, I’m not someone to disregard the law or park anywhere.”

a Greenwich council spokeswoman said: “We are sorry to hear that Mr Morse was unhappy with our decision and advice. While we do not comment in detail on individual cases, the council’s parking enforcement officers do observe vehicles for a period before issuing a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) and officers note any conversations with drivers.

“We follow a set legislative appeals process but we do take into account the circumstances in which notices are issues. However, like other councils and consistent with guidelines, we do ask for proof if it is claimed a medical emergency was taking place at the time a PCN is issued.

“When appeals are refused drivers have the right to have their case heard by an independent adjudicator as long as the notice has not been paid. We advised Mr Morse to exercise his full rights of appeal before paying the notice and would be happy to provide further advice on the appeal process if he emails us at parking@royalgreenwich.gov.uk”