'I was fined £40 when I rushed my poorly mum to A&E and couldn't find a parking space'

A daughter has told of her "disbelief" at getting a £40 fine after she parked in a hospital drop-off zone as she rushed her mum "who was pouring with blood" to A&E.

Jill Taylor, 75, was taken to Southend Hospital in Essex after a serious and "potentially life-threatening" accident on June 21, and her daughter finding no space in the car park, stopped in the drop-off area.

Ms Taylor had fallen outside London Road's Leigh Primary Care Centre and suffered wounds to her head and face.

Her daughter was told to drive her straight to A&E, but when they arrived they were unable to find a parking space.

In desperation, the family left the car in the drop-off zone and left a note on the car but they returned to find they had been landed with a £40 fine.

Jill Taylor's daughter received a fine after stopping in a drop-zone at the hospital (SWNS)

Ms Taylor's daughter, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "There was blood pouring out from her nose, the bridge of her glasses cut into her nose, and a wound to her head.

"She was in a right mess, but luckily, this was in a medical centre and doctors and nurses came out to give assistance. Because of how serious her injuries were, they advised us to drive straight to A&E rather than wait ages for an ambulance.

"When we arrived at the hospital, we found the main car park was full, which we believe was due to a fault with the barriers. I had to abandon the car in a drop off bay to get mum the help she needed and I returned to the car to discover I'd been fined. I was in disbelief."

The family appealed the First Parking fine later that evening and the firm ruled against them.

But after local media contacted First Parking, the fine has since been overturned.

A spokesman for First Parking said: "The case has been reconsidered and the appeal has now been accepted as a goodwill gesture. The driver has been informed that no further action will be taken."

A spokesman for Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust said: "We are sorry to hear that one of our visitors had issues parking and are pleased that following the appeals process on the parking charge notice, their appeal was upheld."