A FRAIL grandmother has been left housebound after being trapped in the doors of a supermarket.

 

May Alexander, 80, was visiting Tesco at Silverburn when the terrifying accident happened in February last year.

The retail giants claim there is no footage of the incident which shattered her hip and has left her almost immobile.

May said: "I was just waiting for my daughter and walked through the doors, the next thing I was on the ground in agony.

"I fell flat on my back, I didn't know where I was, the security guard had to phone for an ambulance.

"I had never seen the doors shut before, whenever I had been they were always open but they came right down on me."

May had to spend three weeks in hospital, had surgery to get a pin and plate put in her hip and more than a dozen staples in her leg.

She has been housebound for more than a year and even making a cup of tea or doing simple chores around the house is a nightmare.

"I was used to doing everything for myself, I was very independent and now I have to rely on my family for everything." she explained.

"My daughter comes to help me and my granddaughter will come too when she can.

"I used to go out for messages, do the cleaning and things but I just can't anymore."

Most of all May misses dancing and going on holiday to Spain.

The 80-year-old was used to holidaying in the sun but now is unable to even travel short journeys by bus or train due to her pain.

The grandmother-of-16 said: "We used to go to Benidorm, I can't do anything like that now...I can barely leave the house."

Her daughter Susan, a full time carer, said she is "disgusted" with the supermarket and added: " They should be ashamed of themselves; my mum has been left totally trapped because of this.

"There are cameras all over the place, in the car park and the shop.

"The manager of the shop came to help when it happened as well."

According to May's lawyer, Tesco claim there was no footage of the incident and the CCTV has not been retained.

Joel Shaw from Thompsons Solicitors, who is representing May, said: "What happened to May has had a profoundly negative effect on her mobility and quality of life.

"She finds it very difficult to get out and about now and that's just awful for her.

"The accident was not May's fault in any way, it was Tesco's fault.

"But yet this company which likes to portray itself as family friendly and caring is treating a frail and vulnerable old lady in a shabby and heartless fashion.

"Its time the bosses at Tesco did the right thing and properly compensate May for the pain and suffering she is still living with."

A Tesco spokesman said: "It would be inappropriate to comment."