Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
World
Danny Rigg

Sainsbury's shopper finds crouched elderly man 'with tears rolling down his face'

A good samaritan has urged others to help a person in need after seeing people walk past an elderly man doubled-up in pain at the supermarket

NHS worker Vicky Wells spotted the man crouched over a bollard as she approached the Sainsbury's carpark.

On entering the store, she said she saw him again and could see "he was in a lot of distress and had tears rolling down his face".

The 42-year-old told the ECHO : "I was just totally shocked that people could see him outside and inside the shop struggling and they all just walked past him.

"It only takes two minutes of someone's time to see if he was ok. If I was in that situation, then I would like to think someone would have the compassion to help me."

READ MORE -

Vicky said she and another woman approached the man in Upton, Wirral on September 7 and she asked staff to fetch a chair and they also called a first aider.

She said: "I asked him what was wrong and he told me that he had been suffering with his spine for years.

"At this stage, he was in a lot of distress and tears rolled down his face. I told him he needed to go to hospital."

The man told Vicky he had been visiting the hospital for years and had painkillers but still suffers with pain.

Vicky said: "I gave him some advice and he promised me that he would continue to fight to get the treatment sooner than later.

"But I did explain that the NHS is overstretched and struggling with the effects of the pandemic."

Despite offers of help Vicky said the man, who was picking up a paper at the supermarket, continued to shop but wanted to urge people to help if they see someone suffering.

She added: "It's horrible seeing anyone suffering. I would try my best to help anyone in that situation."

Vicky added: "I just hope he gets the help he needs. It was so sad seeing him like that. I just wish I could have done more."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.