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Mum loses seven teeth and use of hand after tripping on pothole and landing face-first in another

Alison Smith, 48, is seeking compensation after suffering devastating injuries

[Alison Smith sustained nasty injuries in the fall]

Alison Smith sustained nasty injuries in the fall(Image: SWNS)

A mother has been left with permanent injuries after stumbling into a deep pothole and plummeting face-first into another one knocking out seven teeth. Alison Smith sustained horrific facial trauma following the agonising fall while walking to meet her daughter in Bonchurch, on the Isle of Wight.

The 48-year-old explains there was no footpath available, forcing her to walk along the road when her foot became trapped in a pothole, sending her crashing down. Despite attempting to cushion the impact with her hand, the mother-of-four says her face smashed into another pothole during the incident in November 2024.

More than a year on, Alison remains unable to use her hand, relies on artificial teeth, and cannot work because of her injuries. Alison, from Ventnor, Isle of Wight, claims no one has ever accepted responsibility for what occurred, despite it "life-changing forever."

[Alison lost teeth in the fall]

Alison lost teeth in the fall(Image: SWNS)

She added: "My foot got caught in the pothole and I fell forward using my hand to try and save me. My face went into another pothole which is why I lost so many teeth.

"It was horrendous. I was on the floor with blood everywhere trying to pick up my teeth. My daughter walked round because she heard me crying. I was just very shook up and slightly dizzy. I was very upset. It was sore for a good few weeks.", reports Bristol Live.

Alison describes the pothole on Shore Road in Bonchurch as roughly two to three inches deep and exceeding a foot in width. The morning following her fall, she attended A&E concerned she might have fractured her cheek as she couldn't move her face, and underwent X-rays on her wrist.

Fortunately, nothing was fractured, but the grandmother-of-five endured weeks of excruciating pain and remains unable to use her hand properly. She has been undergoing physiotherapy for her injuries but cannot lift objects, forcing her to abandon her caf position.

Her charitable endeavours, through which she raised 400,000 for a food box scheme, also had to cease due to her condition. The part-time vocalist now wears dentures on both upper and lower jaws, and has been compelled to quit the two musical groups she performed with.

[Alison was 'sore for a good few weeks']

Alison was 'sore for a good few weeks'(Image: SWNS)

"It is now over a year later and it is still causing me to not be able to do the things that I used to do," she added. "It impacted everything really. I am still now signed off sick because of the stress of everything.

"I still can't eat the things I used to eat. I had to relearn how to sing with these fake teeth. It did shake me up. It changed my confidence for a while. I did have to spend time going out in public and carrying on with my life with no teeth."

Island Roads have subsequently filled the crater and resurfaced the entire carriageway, but Alison maintains she deserves compensation for the trauma endured. She also alleges the thoroughfare had been plagued with potholes for an extended period, and repairs should have been completed prior to her mishap.

[The pothole that Alison tripped on]

The pothole that Alison tripped on(Image: SWNS)

She said: "The road has been like that for many years. Lots of people have complained about that road. We were always careful and it was just unlucky that I happened to trip in it.

"They have basically said that it is not their liability and there is nothing they will do. If it had been my mum or any other elderly person it could have caused death. I just think it is absolutely disgusting.

"I would like them to admit liability and I think I should be entitled to compensation for the amount of work I have lost and the fact that my hand doesn't work at all."

A spokesperson for Island Roads responded: "We have every sympathy for Ms Smith and for the injuries she has sustained as a result of this incident.

"A claim relating to this matter was received, fully investigated and a formal response was issued to Ms Smith in April 2025. The road was inspected in October 2024 as part of its routine six-monthly inspection and in line with accepted industry practice.

"No defects were identified that met the threshold for intervention either at that time or during our investigation following the incident.

"However, having been brought to our attention, we arranged for the pothole referred to in the claim, along with another nearby pothole, to be repaired as part of our ongoing maintenance programme.

"Every claim is carefully considered on its individual merits, taking account of available evidence and the legal responsibilities of the highway authority and Island Roads as its service provider.

"Having completed our investigation, we concluded that we are unable to accept liability in this case. We appreciate the outcome will be disappointing for Ms Smith, but we have a responsibility to assess all claims consistently."

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