A DOWNHAM man who fell shoulder-deep into a sewage-filled drain hole says someone could have died in the eight days it took Lewisham Council to fix it.

Shaun Tripp and his mum, Pamela, were on their way to the shops on Bromley Road, Downham, and wanted to park down a side road next to Costcutter.

A wooden pallet was hanging off the side of the pavement into the road so Mr Tripp jumped out of the car to move it.

The 41-year-old said: “I picked up the pallet and fell straight down the drain.

“It went up to my shoulders and I was in all the horrible sewage.”

He added: “I’m quite a big lad and I’m quite wide. I managed to catch myself with my arms and pull myself up.”

News Shopper: Mr Tripp's aunty took this picture of the drain shortly after the accident Mr Tripp, of Sandpit Road, suffered bruising to his sides and a deep cut to his leg, which he says went down to the bone and required stitches.

He said: “I feel really sad and shocked about the whole thing. I have actually had nightmares about it.

“I worry what would have happened if I had gone all the way down. All I can think about is ‘what if?’”

News Shopper: Shaun Tripp needed stitches after falling down an uncovered drain The energy advisor, who was celebrating his birthday the day it happened on March 2, has been signed off work for three weeks and needs to see a nurse every two days to have his wound cleaned.

Mr Tripp said: “I was worried that a kid could fall down there and they would be gone.

“It just needed a drain cover and it would save someone’s life.”

News Shopper: Attempts were made to block off the drain but it was not fixed by Lewisham Council until March 10 Mr Tripp reported the incident to Lewisham Council and has sent them a claim form.

A council spokeswoman said: “We are unfortunately unable to comment at this time, as this matter is currently being investigated by our staff.”

Mr Tripp’s mum witnessed the incident

Mr Tripp’s mum, Pamela, witnessed the incident from her car.

The 63-year-old, who celebrated her birthday the day before the incident, said: “I’m still having flashbacks and reliving it.

“I thought I was going to lose him it was like a horror thing. I thought he was going to die.”

Mrs Tripp, of Sandpit Road, Downham, went back to the scene on numerous occasions but the hole remained uncovered until March 10.

She said: “I had fears thinking ‘what if someone is down there and no one knows about it’.

“Anybody skinnier would be straight down there.”

The mum-of-two says the council should have fixed the drain sooner.

Mrs tripp said: “I don’t think a week is acceptable. I was told it would be fixed the next day. Something should have been done a lot quicker.”

She added: “The hole was full of water. Imagine if a child or an older person fell down there. They would have drowned.”