A WOMAN in a wheelchair was left stranded at a station when staff would not let her board a train home.

Noreen Akhtar, from the Milnshaw ward in Accrington, says she was ‘point blank’ refused help to get onto a train from Salford Crescent station.

She has traumatic Tetraplegia, which causes paralysis, after sustaining a spinal cord injury in an accident when she was a child.

Miss Akthar, 27, said she was left feeling ‘helpless’, ‘vulnerable’ and ‘intimidated’ after missing two trains when she was not allowed to board without explanation.

Northern Rail has said it is now investigating Ms Akhtar’s complaint but maintained it meets its responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

Miss Akhtar, who had initially tried to board the 12.47pm train on September 15 with her sister Nafisah Bibi, 18, after visiting Salford University, said: “The member of staff clearly stated to us that he did not allow wheelchairs and ramps at his train station “The train conductors even offered to put the ramp out for me but he just shouted out to him and told them that no ramps were to be laid out for me.”

Miss Akhtar claims she was told that she would have to get out of the wheelchair herself if she wanted to get on the train but when the third train arrived that it was a one-off that she would be allowed to board.

She added: “I am so furious just because I am disabled no one has the right to treat me in such a manner.”

Northern Rail said: “We are investigating the complaint.

“Northern fully meets its responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Customers who require assistance can contact our Customer Relations team who will ensure that in cases such as Salford Crescent, where there is no level access to the platforms, alternative arrangements can be made.”

County Councillor Anne Brown, cabinet member for adult social care, slammed the ‘awful’ actions of the rail bosses.

She said: "If this happened then it is a disgrace.”