A BURN victim broke down in floods of tears after he was refused a driving test – just because his scars didn’t match his ID.
Darren Harris, from Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, claimed he wasn’t allowed to sit his theory test as his photo no longer matched the scars on his face from a freak accident.
Darren was refused a theory test because he didn’t match his photo ID[/caption]
The 29-year-old became a “human fireball” in November 2021, when he was electrocuted by 11,000 volts in an abandoned steel works.
He lay “dead” for several minutes, lost his nose and ears, and burned 47 per cent of his body in the inferno – but thankfully, he escaped with his life.
Since the near-death experience, Darren has suffered horrific trauma and struggled to accept his new appearance.
So when the test centre manager reportedly ordered him to remove his hat and confronted him about his identity, Darren was devastated.
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He told the Mirror: “I came away absolutely distraught with a big lump in my throat. I was crying my heart out.
“He said ‘its not my problem you shouldn’t have changed your appearance, you didn’t change your identification’.
“I said I wasn’t ready to change my identification yet because I’m still coming to terms with my new appearance but he was being really awkward with me.
“I feel like I’ve been discriminated against to the highest level.”
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He said: “I don’t like going out at the best of times and I’ve come out, taken a train journey to do this and to be refused to do the test I’m absolutely disgusted.”
Darren claimed he had sat his theory test twice before while wearing a hat but had never encountered any issues – so he wouldn’t accept the manager’s objections
He added: “I sleep with my hat on, I wear my hat all day, even around the house. I said to him you can’t expect me to sit in there in front of a load of strangers with my bare head on display.
“I’ve had a major trauma and loads of burns across my head. He said ‘its not my problem mate you won’t be doing your test then’.”
The former scaffolder said he attempted to prove his identity with old pictures of himself on his phone.
A stranger at the centre jumped in too, but the manager could allegedly not be swayed.
Darren said: “There was even another lad there who tried to help me, he said to him ‘listen you can see the man is trying he’s got his bank card his ID and proof of him sitting his test before, why are you refusing him’ and the guy said ‘because his face doesn’t match his ID’.”
The test ban adds to the string of traumatic ordeals Darren has suffered through since his accident.
Immediately after the electrocution, Darren was in a coma for 27 days and went through a staggering 23 surgeries.
In addition to his completely burnt arms, he was treated for sepsis, multiple organ failure and had to have brain surgery.
Since physically recovering, Darren has suffered from deep mental scars.
He’s especially struggled with his new appearance and scars – and has even fought off suicidal thoughts at times.
So the rejection at his driving theory test was a severe blow to the survivor.
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A spokesman from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency said: “DVSA will investigate this incident with its theory test provider as a matter of urgency.
“We always aim to treat all candidates with respect. We apologise for the distress caused and we will contact the individual to offer a retest.”
Darren became a human fireball from the 11,000 volt shock[/caption]
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