Wheelchair Accident at MK

[katallo]

We attended MVMCP at the MK last week. While walking through a crowded section of Fantasyland, we heard someone behind us say “these people are moving too slow”. The next minute, a wheelchair hit me in the leg. The woman in the wheelchair was being pushed by someone who appeared to be in her teens. I stopped and the girl said “are you ok”. I answered that my leg was bleeding. The family stood for a minute or two and left. I went to the First Aid Station for ice and was advised to get a Tetanus shot because the gash was caused by the metal foot rest.

First, I know wheelchairs in crowded areas can result in accidents. I did go to a clinic for the shot, but my leg is bruised, cut and sore. Please be careful and realize when parks are crowded no one is going to get anywhere fast!
And, people get injured.

 

[BuzzNwoodY0824]

Im sorry, that sucks. You handled yourself better than I would have. So props to you for that lol

 

[davedmaine]

We attended MVMCP at the MK last week. While walking through a crowded section of Fantasyland, we heard someone behind us say “these people are moving too slow”. The next minute, a wheelchair hit me in the leg. The woman in the wheelchair was being pushed by someone who appeared to be in her teens. I stopped and the girl said “are you ok”. I answered that my leg was bleeding. The family stood for a minute or two and left. I went to the First Aid Station for ice and was advised to get a Tetanus shot because the gash was caused by the metal foot rest.

First, I know wheelchairs in crowded areas can result in accidents. I did go to a clinic for the shot, but my leg is bruised, cut and sore. Please be careful and realize when parks are crowded no one is going to get anywhere fast!
And, people get injured.

Don't be critical. That's just how she rolls.

 

[Raenstoirm]

OP that happened to my dh a few years ago. He was hit so hard, we actually needed to wrap his ankle in an ace bandage since the hit caused a minor sprain.

 

[rwdavis2]

Saw a girl get rammed repeatedly by an ECV at Osbourne Lights last week. It or the driver got out of control and went back and forth several times at the girl.

 

[xipotec]

I smell a blow up thread coming

 

[TXMalecifent]

MK seems to be the place where people lose control in crowds I am having a hard time convincing my fella to spend time at MK on our next trip, since our last was so horrible. It was early November a few years back and for some reason or another we chose poorly and MK filed up. Both of us went back to the hotel with bruised calves and I took a wicked blow to the Achilles' tendon from being bashed from behind by strollers. At first I chalked up to the 'crowd', but it became painfully apparent that people were using their strollers to push and prod people out of their way. What are you going to do? Turn around and have a confrontation over their child? In a slow moving herd of people? So we got of their way. Shockingly, this happened numerous times that day. I guess not, since it worked on us.

 

[waynesgirl]

I got hit, too. On purpose. Twice. Didn't begrudge them for the wheelchair...just begrudge them for being a bung hole.

 

[larryz]

Don't be critical. That's just how she rolls.

Shin guards. Gotta love 'em.

 

[xipotec]

What are you going to do? Turn around and have a confrontation over their child? In a slow moving herd of people? So we got of their way. Shockingly, this happened numerous times that day. I guess not, since it worked on us.

Actually my wife was the one getting bashed by people this trip, not me for once. If the person did not offer am apology , She would just turn around and politely say to the drivers, "oh i'm so sorry i got in your way, ill move to the side so you can go by."
But not as nicely as it sounds in the written form.
Fortunately, most rammings were true mistakes and people were really apologetic.

 

[LisaCat]

Actually my wife was the one getting bashed by people this trip, not me for once. If the person did not offer am apology , She would just turn around and politely say to the drivers, "oh i'm so sorry i got in your way, ill move to the side so you can go by."
But not as nicely as it sounds in the written form.
Fortunately, most rammings were true mistakes and people were really apologetic.

LOL - a wee bit of sarcasm in her voice, perhaps?

If someone hit me hard enough to draw blood, they'd have another problem on their hands, or laps - the sight of blood might cause me to hurl. Something for the stroller-rammers to consider; the possibility that someone would turn around and barf on their child.....

 

[minnie mum]

I'm not convinced by the OPs post that what she experienced was anything other than an accident. Crowds plus strollers/ECVs/wheelchairs is an accident waiting to happen and the greater the crowd the greater the incidence of pedestrian/wheeled vehicle contact. Sometimes this is just an unfortunate accident- it happens. Sometimes it's on purpose, and it shouldn't happen.

The person the OP heard complaining of the slowness of movement may or may not have been the driver of the wheelchair. As was stated, it was crowded. At least they stuck around and asked if she was hurt. Not sure what else they could have done. Obviously they couldn't provide the medical attention that was needed.

Jerks come in all shapes and sizes, on two feet and on (or behind) wheels. The same person who uses their stroller /wheelchair /ECV as a battering ram will also probably be throwing a full blown tantrum when their expired fastpass is refused, line cutting in the queues, and engaging in other, similarly self centered behaviour. The only thing separating them from all of the jerks on their own 2 feet are the wheels.

But let's not paint everyone with the same paintbrush. I think it all comes back to the increasing scarcity of simple common courtesy, mutual respect, civility- call it what you will. This lack of respect certainly is not confined to those with wheels.

 

[tsme]

MK seems to be the place where people lose control in crowds I am having a hard time convincing my fella to spend time at MK on our next trip, since our last was so horrible. It was early November a few years back and for some reason or another we chose poorly and MK filed up. Both of us went back to the hotel with bruised calves and I took a wicked blow to the Achilles' tendon from being bashed from behind by strollers. At first I chalked up to the 'crowd', but it became painfully apparent that people were using their strollers to push and prod people out of their way. What are you going to do? Turn around and have a confrontation over their child? In a slow moving herd of people? So we got of their way. Shockingly, this happened numerous times that day. I guess not, since it worked on us.

I did just that a couple of years ago. It was at the end of a parade in MK and the cms were using a rope to control the crowd & keep it moving but also keeping it back too. A woman behind me had a double jogger type stroller & was continually ramming me with it over and over again. After about the third or fourth time, I turned & yelled at her (over her children) to stop hitting me! It wasn't my finest moment but I am a small woman, she was hurting me & propelling me each time. Besides I don't know what she was thinking, it wasn't like I could jump the rope to get out of her way.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

~OP, I'm so sorry that happened to you, I hope you recover quickly! Thanks for the great advice, everyone should be very aware of their surroundings, look back and know who's behind you, exercise plenty of patience and always be kind.

~Last year my DS got mowed down by a cruel ECV driver. I say cruel because it was right after the fireworks and *no one* was moving. She just plowed over my DS. Grrrrr....

~In spite of that, I have nothing against ECV's, wheelchairs, or strollers, just the inconsiderate people who manipulate them to abuse others. I think the majority of wheelchair, stroller, and ECV user's are especially kind and polite.

 

[stasijane]

OP Sorry you got hurt and hopefully you didn't let it ruin your trip! I am fortunate enought that I have never been hit by Chair or Stroller, but I hopefully have many more trips in my future so who knows what it will bring!

 

[BrookeMQ]

I get hit by a stroller at least once every trip...when my husband is pushing it!

 

[pouncingpluto]

I get the complaints -- I was a stroller-free WDW fan for a long time. But at the same time, I think people attribute more fault to stroller pushers than is always warranted. Very often, people step in front of a stroller or, especially, come to a stop in front of a stroller more suddenly than the stroller pusher can react!

 

[LilyWDW]

OP I am sorry you were injured.

I will say this though. After walking beside a woman in an ECV while trying to leave Wishes I learned first hand that it is not an easy thing to do. The poor woman was trying so hard to not hit the people who were cutting in front of her and randomly stopping (because they "lost" their party so they just stopped ). She was so worried about that that she accidentally steered off the curb! I felt so bad for her.

 

[TChrist05]

My DW the last 3 trips to the World has been in a wheelchair. It is not easy pushing them during crowded and peak times--leaving Fantasmic was a nightmare. It would be helpful for people to be aware of people around them who have the difficulty of pushing the wheelchairs. They are bulky and sometimes very hard to steer when there are so many people walking around them. Next trip we are thankful she will not need the wheelchair.

 

[eeyorefan107]

OP, I'm sorry you were hurt. I hope your leg gets better soon.

I have no choice but to use an ECV when I go to WDW. I have rheumatoid arthritis in my feet, and long walks and standing are 2 things I can no longer handle. When I'm in the parks, I do my best to watch where I'm going and keep an eye on those around me.

My last visit to MK was a complete struggle. It was right after the fireworks, and it was wall to wall people. No matter how many times I said excuse me, I couldn't get across the sea of humanity to get to the rest of my family. When I did manage to get across, I had at least 4 people stop right in front of me, and I did my best to avoid running them over. I always keep the speed on slow and watch for hidden obstacles. ECVs don't stop on a dime.

I do agree that a lot of times strollers, wheelchairs, and ECVs are used as battering rams to push through the crowds. However, sometimes people just stop, and it's hard to stop those vehicles. I think we all need to just be aware of what's around us.