A woman who needs crutches to walk was knocked to the ground in an altercation between a shoplifter and staff in a supermarket.
Bridgette Read became collateral damage when she was knocked over in a shoplifting incident, she believes by a Morrisons worker who shovesd her out of the way trying to stop a shoplifter in the Yate branch, on October 11.
The Coalpit Heath resident, 58, who suffers from a long term physical disability, was left devastated by the fall which has seen her injure her elbow. She has been offered a free meal by the supermarket but she does not believe this is sufficient.
South Western Ambulance Service reported the incident to Avon and Somerset police and said they were told a female customer was injured by the shoplifter. But Ms Read is adamant it was the member of staff who collided with her.
Her sister Janice Scott, a full time carer for Ms Read, says the ordeal has left her sister 'devastated and shocked'.
Ms Scott says they were only in the store for 10 minutes when her sister, who was holding onto the shopping cart at the time, was shoved out of the way causing her to fall to the ground.
She said: “The shopping trolley containing Ms Read’s crutches tipped over and my sister fell on her elbow which caused it to bruise very badly.”
Ms Read, who is due to have a hip replacement next month says she has reported the dramatic ordeal to the Yate branch manager but has received no response.
Ms Scott said: “Morrisons have not issued my sister with an official apology, they have failed to acknowledge what happened and instead offered my sister a free meal.
Ms Read also suffers from anxiety, is saddened that Morrisons refuses to take responsibility for what happened to her.
Ms Scott Said: “Since the incident, my sister now requires additional help and support to get around – it’s not good.
"She relies on crutches to get around because her mobility is poor and whilst out shopping, she likes to uses the trolley for support.”
A spokesperson from Avon and Somerset police confirmed an incident took place at Morrisons Yate on October 11 and a purse was stolen however, no complaints had been made.
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