Glasgow carer struck off as disabled pensioner dies in escalator tragedy

A carer has been struck off the register after a pensioner she was taking care of fell down an escalator and later died in hospital. Debbie McWhannell, from Glasgow , pushed 71-year-old Catherine Muir's wheelchair onto the escalator at Easterhouse Shopping Centre on July 15, 2023, because the lift was out of order. As they descended, the carer lost control of the wheelchair, causing Ms Muir to fall to the bottom of the escalator and suffer a serious jaw injury. She sadly died in hospital 11 days later after contracting pneumonia . It was noted that Ms McWhannell had ignored a sign that warned against placing wheelchairs on the escalator. Ms Muir - who had special needs and was prone to dizziness - was held only by Ms McWhannell's one hand during the incident, Glasgow Live reports. Ms McWhannell was convicted of an offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act at Glasgow Sheriff Court in July 2025. Sheriff Shona Gilroy tagged her for six months, keeping her indoors between 8pm and 9am as an "alternative to custody". Nearly three years after the tragedy, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) has removed Ms McWhannell from the register, with the notice in effect from April 24, 2026. It is understood that she had been suspended from her job pending the investigation. According to the SSSC's report, Ms Muir was "highly vulnerable and non-verbal", relying on Ms McWhannell to make decisions in her best interest. A section of the document reads: "A warning would not be appropriate as the harm that was caused because of your conduct was so severe that a warning would not reflect this. The nature of the conviction is highly serious." Following the sentencing, Catherine's brother Donald Muir, 68, and sister Janet Muir, 72, said: "We weren't looking for her to get jailed. She made a horrible mistake and she will have to live with that for the rest of her days - it should never have happened. "It was a sad loss - she lived 72 years and to die that way is just tragic. It's been a disaster. I just hope it is publicised so that it doesn't happen again and gives folk a warning about escalators. "We would like carers to pay attention to all signs at escalators - she blatantly ignored all the health and safety regulations. I can't imagine what was in her head - Catherine was not a wee lightweight and had a bulky wheelchair. To even attempt to go down an escalator - I can't imagine why, it's shocking."