Tough breaks for unlucky Ribblehead pub pair (From Craven Herald)

Tough breaks for unlucky Ribblehead pub pair

8:00am Thursday 14th March 2013 in News

It’s bad news when a pub landlord breaks a leg, but when the landlady breaks hers too, it’s a double disaster.

Allan Shutt and Jo Jagger, of the Station Inn at Ribblehead, have done just that – they have matching broken lower legs after both fell over in the same week while walking their black labrador, Tetleys.

Allan, a former golf professional, was first to come a cropper when he slipped on icy ground outside the pub on Monday, February 25.

Despite hearing a loud crack as he fell, he tried to ignore it, but then, five days later partner, Jo, fell into a manhole on her way out with the dog.

The couple had been having work done on the pub and the manhole cover had been left off, leaving an unsuspecting Jo falling five feet into muck.

Allan drove Jo to Kendal Hospital, where an x-ray confirmed she had suffered a broken left fibia, as well as several nasty bruises.

“While we were there, I asked if they could look at my leg, as it was still hurting. They found what they thought was an old stress fracture from when I was running marathons four or five years ago that broke when I fell,” said Allan.

“I drove Jo back home and returned on the Sunday to have my pot put on.”

The couple have been told to expect to be in their non-load bearing pots for about eight weeks, but it could be a longer haul for Allan, whose right tibia might need further surgery.

“It’s completely debilitating, we’re both not supposed to put any weight on our legs, so it’s impossible to serve drinks,” said Allan.

“I’ve also got to go back to hospital and could end up having surgery and having my leg pinned, and if I have that done, it would put me out for eight to nine months.”

Meanwhile, they’re getting on with running the pub, despite having to struggle on crutches.