A GRANDMOTHER whose husband died after tripping over a broken manhole cover nine years ago says she will “never stop fighting for justice”.

Bridget Bradley, of The Glade, Winchmore Hill, wants Enfield Council to take responsibility for what happened to Michael in November 2007.

The 74-year-old had parked in Winchmore Hill Road and was heading to meet his wife in the Post Office when he tripped and fell, breaking his femur.

Mrs Bradley, 84, said: “He fell to the ground immediately. There were two women in Ladbrokes who went outside to help him. He was screaming in pain.

“They came to get me in the Post Office and we called an ambulance. He couldn’t be moved, they had to cut his clothes off.

“They told me it was serious and I knew he wasn’t going to make it, I knew I was going to lose him.”

Doctors could not operate as he had pneumonia and he died nine days later.

Too consumed with grief at first, Mrs Bradley and her son, also called Michael, did not pursue Enfield Council.

Four months later they contacted lawyers and were devastated when the case fell apart.

But two years ago, they discovered the manhole cover had been flagged up for repair a month before the former postman’s accident, but was never fixed.

She claims she has spoken to Enfield Council leader Doug Taylor who told her too much time had passed for the authority to do anything.

The retired school canteen worker said: “It was never about the money – it’s about neglect. We just want some kind of justice for Michael.

“The council should have sorted this out. I want them to say they were wrong for not fixing it in the first place. If it weren’t for this, Michael may still be here with me.

“I would like to tell the council I haven’t forgotten this. I won't stop fighting for justice.”

Paying tribute to her husband, who she was married to for 52 years, she said: “He was a very witty man. He was very quick with jokes.

“I miss him so much.”

Enfield Council spokesperson Andrew Golder said: “Enfield Council has the deepest sympathy for Mrs Bradley’s regarding the loss of her husband.
“An insurance claim was made by solicitors representing Mrs Bradley in November 2007 regarding the incident in question and an independent investigation was carried out which showed that the council was not in breach of its duty and was therefore in no way responsible for the accident which happened. The claim was consequently denied.

“Under English law claimants have three years to make a claim for injury from the date of the incident if they wish to pursue a claim. In this case no court proceedings were received and the claim has been closed.

”While we extend our deepest sympathies to Mrs Bradley, the complaint cannot be considered any further.”