Broken bones in Worthing town centre

Unsurprisingly, Katie Sears, 38, has branded as "disgusting" West Sussex County Council's decision not to use salt or grit to tackle the treacherous ice which covered Worthing's busiest shopping street on the busiest shopping day of the year.

"It was not quite what I had hoped for Christmas," said Katie, a temporary office worker from Storrington.

"She needed hospital treatment after slipping on ice in Montague Street on Saturday (December 19) and breaking her leg.

Helpful shoppers

Fellow shoppers rushed to her aid, including an off-duty nurse who gave her a scarf.

"I didn't get any of their names," said Katie. "I want to thank them so much."

After arriving at Worthing Hospital at around 12.30pm, she was finally admitted to a ward at 8pm as staff were stretched to breaking point by more than eight times the usual number of broken bones.

Worthing Hospital had more than 50 fractures to deal with at the weekend '“ the normal number is around six.

Six-months down

Katie's mother, Sue Sears, 63, from Pulborough, joined the effort and helped hold her screaming daughter's leg in place for an X-ray.

"It's going to be a good six months before I'm walking again, and I'm only doing temp work at the moment so I've probably lost my job," said Katie.

"It's salt and grit. You put that against the cost to the hospital and the staff. It's disgusting really.

"Regardless of breaking my leg, it's the busiest shopping time of the year. It's a main street. Words fail me."

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