Baroness Grey-Thompson has called for better public transport services for disabled people after revealing she had to crawl off a train in London.
The Paralympian gold medallist, a regular commuter from north-east England, said she was left stranded at King's Cross station at midnight.
The baroness, who was born with spina bifida, said she had requested assistance in advance but none arrived.
Train operator East Coast apologised, citing factors outside its control.
"I was on a train that got into King's Cross in London at midnight," said the Cardiff-born former athlete about the recent incident.
"No-one came to help me so I waited 10 minutes then transferred myself from the seat onto the floor, and pushed my wheelchair towards the door of the train.
"Some construction workers saw what I was doing and ran over to help. But if I hadn't been able to get myself to the door I would have been stuck on the train until it was locked for the night."
Lady Grey-Thompson, who is Transport For London board member and lives in Redcar, explained that she had requested assistance before travelling.
"There's a system where you have to book 24 hours in advance for someone to help you off the train, but you cannot book on a Saturday or a Sunday and have to book on a Friday for a Monday," she told BBC Wales.
"You have to specify the exact time. It's hit and miss."
Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-17522232
The Paralympian gold medallist, a regular commuter from north-east England, said she was left stranded at King's Cross station at midnight.
The baroness, who was born with spina bifida, said she had requested assistance in advance but none arrived.
Train operator East Coast apologised, citing factors outside its control.
"I was on a train that got into King's Cross in London at midnight," said the Cardiff-born former athlete about the recent incident.
"No-one came to help me so I waited 10 minutes then transferred myself from the seat onto the floor, and pushed my wheelchair towards the door of the train.
"Some construction workers saw what I was doing and ran over to help. But if I hadn't been able to get myself to the door I would have been stuck on the train until it was locked for the night."
Lady Grey-Thompson, who is Transport For London board member and lives in Redcar, explained that she had requested assistance before travelling.
"There's a system where you have to book 24 hours in advance for someone to help you off the train, but you cannot book on a Saturday or a Sunday and have to book on a Friday for a Monday," she told BBC Wales.
"You have to specify the exact time. It's hit and miss."
Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-17522232