TWO Irvine pensioners had a narrow escape from serious injury after supermarket scaffolding collapsed.
David Stevenson, 86, and his friend say they are angry at the lack of support from the shop involved.
David's Motability car was hit by one of the scaffolding poles, which pierced his bonnet outside Tesco in Irvine in March this year.
But the supermarket giant has ignored his plea for £100 in compensation for the damage caused.
David said: "I went to the supermarket for some shopping with my 84-year-old lady friend on March 29.
"When we left it was raining, so I told her to stay at the entrance while I brought up the car.
"As I approached the entrance, there was an almighty crash as the roof scaffolding came crashing down - narrowly missing my friend, as she jumped back. It came down like dominoes.
"I was not so lucky. I had my bonnet pierced through with one of the poles.
"I immediately reported this to the staff who gave me an incident number. I also had the presence of mind to report it to the police. I then notified my insurance as it was a Motobility car - so no problem there.
"At the time, store staff said the weather was the cause of the accident. In that case they should have shut down the road - and they did once the scaffolding fell."
David, who is currently recovering from a broken hip unconnected to the incident, said "My main problem was that I was very near serious injury and I had to pay £100 excess for the privilege.
"I have never had any response from Tesco - not even a sorry or maybe some vouchers to use in store. It's not really good enough.
"As it would cost me more than the £100 to ask a lawyer for help, I feel it’s a bad show all round on Tesco's part.
"They sort of said 'oh it was because of the bad weather that the roof collapsed'. To me this is an admission that it was not put up properly. If that was the case no way should traffic be allowed to drive under it
"The treatment from Tesco is downright disgraceful. As an OAP, £100 is a lot of money. Why should I have to pay for their mistake?"
A spokesperson for Tesco told the Irvine Times: "We are sorry to hear this has happened and are reaching out to Mr Stevenson's insurers to resolve the matter."
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