The family of a disabled woman is pursuing legal action after she fell into the river in Twickenham when a carer lost control of her wheelchair.

Kelly Madarasz, 26, was being pushed in a wheelchair at Radnor Gardens on December 4 last year when her carer lost control and Kelly plunged 8ft into the Thames.

She was a resident at Roy Kinnear House care home, in Waldegrave Road, and suffers from terminal Rett syndrome, which prevents her from speaking and renders her virtually immobile.

Miss Madarasz is totally wheelchair-dependent and also has epilepsy and type 1 diabetes.

She was in the water for 20 minutes and suffered head injuries, cuts, bruises and blood poisoning before being taken to West Middlesex Hospital where she spent several days in intensive care.

The family, from Hackney, are now pursuing legal action and seeking a settlement for their daughter after she was put in a "life-threatening situation".

Her mother, Edit Madarasz, said the ordeal had left her daughter severely traumatised.

She said: "Kelly has suffered with a number of conditions all her life but this will leave a lasting mental scar.

"Trust has to be earned with my daughter and she has always previously felt safe in her wheelchair but this horrendous ordeal has left her severely traumatised.

"Their actions were totally unacceptable and far below what we expected from the people looking after our daughter."

She said legal action was about ensuring lessons are learned to ensure no similar incidents occur in the future.

A report following an investigation by social services found 10 possible failings by Roy Kinnear Charitable Foundation, owned by Choice Support.

Steven Rose, chief executive at Choice Support, said: “This was a hugely distressing incident for Kelly and her family, and the staff at the home. Since it took place Choice Support has worked closely with the Roy Kinnear Charitable Foundation and the staff at the home to thoroughly review all safety procedures and practices.

“Our number one priority is the safety of the people we support and we have taken steps to ensure we’re doing all we can to prevent incidents like this happening again.”

Katrina Elsey, a personal injury specialist at Irwin Mitchell law firm, representing the family, said: "Kelly’s life was put at risk as she fell into the water and struggled until paramedics came to rescue her.

"To Kelly her wheelchair is a safe place to be and in her mind carers should be safe people to be with, but this trust has been shattered and she is forced into yet another setback in her life.

"For the sake of Kelly and her family we hope that this situation is concluded quickly so they can move on with her life and refocus attention on getting the best care for her."

At the time of the incident, her carer jumped in to help rescue her, as well as a passing dog walker.

Teddington RNLI was scrambled along with police and about 30 firefighters were on the scene.