Still posted missing from work 9 months on, callous postie who left OAP lying in snow
IT was a shocking example of callousness and indifference.
In the depths of the coldest winter for 66 years, a stricken pensioner lay in the snow crying for help.
Meanwhile, a passing postman simply ignored her distress – and claimed that he was too ‘knackered’ to lend a hand or even summon assistance.
Now, The Scottish Mail on Sunday can reveal that, even though the appalling incident was captured on camera in February, no disciplinary action has been taken against the postman.
Thomas McCafferty remains at home, having been suspended from his delivery round for nine months.
Last night, the family of injured OAP Patricia Stewart hit out at the lengthy delay by the Royal Mail and slammed the postman’s cavalier attitude.
Mrs Stewart’s niece, Sheryl Harkins, said: ‘It’s obscene. Nine months and they’ve done nothing about it – that’s unbelievable. He must have some attitude to be sitting at home probably enjoying his salary for doing nothing.
‘It seems Royal Mail are just dragging their heels. At the very least there should be a disciplinary hearing. Surely they have not suspended him on full pay?
‘It has been so long, although you don’t forget about things like that. Fortunately, my aunt has put it behind her.’
Mr McCafferty, 51, has never apologised for his actions or spoken about the incident.
When this newspaper approached him at home last week, he declined to comment. He was caught on a neighbour’s security camera walking away from Mrs Stewart as she lay helpless on the ground after she had fallen on the icy steps outside her home in Bainsford, near Falkirk, and banged her head. The footage was later posted on social media and shared worldwide.
Mrs Stewart, a former social care manager and grandmother of two, has lived on her own since the death of her husband a decade ago.
Speaking at the time, she said: ‘I felt a bit dizzy. I fell from the top step to the bottom and I banged my head. I just couldn’t get up.
‘I shouted for the postman to help me and he came back. But he said, “I’ve been working from early this morning and I’m knackered” and then went away.
‘If it hadn’t been for the people who helped I would have been lying there for hours.’
Calling over his shoulder as he walked off, he told Mrs Stewart to put on her slippers, which had come loose during her fall.
Mr McCafferty could face the sack if found guilty of gross misconduct. Last night, the Royal Mail said: ‘We can confirm Thomas McCafferty is still suspended.’
‘They’ve done nothing – that’s unbelievable’