A Glasgow taxi driver broke his ankle after tripping on a huge pothole outside Tesco.
James Tiffoney unable to drive and lost out on £10,000 in wages after being left in agony following the fall in Clarkston. The 66-year-old had to take 10 weeks off work as a result of the fracture and now plans to sue his local council for damages.
The drama unfolded when Jim stepped into the hole in the ground as he stepped off the kerb outside the Busby Road shop, the Daily Record reports.
He was taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley when medics confirmed the break and fitted him with a walking boot and told him he would be unable to drive until it healed.
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The grandad from Renfrew explained: "I came out of Tesco and got ready to cross the road. That's when I stepped in this large pothole - it was like a crater.
"The fall was terrible. I hit the ground and I was in agony. The pain was excruciating. I was in a right state.
"A few people came along and helped me up but I knew my ankle was broken.
"I complained to the council but they refused to pay out. Road workers then came out and patched up the pothole, but it's already crumbling again. I've absolutely no doubt that someone could trip and fall in it again.
"I'm now speaking to a no win no fee lawyer. I've missed 10 weeks of work where I would usually earn around £1,000 a week.
"We were struggling a bit financially while I was off and I was itching to get back to work, but I'm still in a lot of pain on journeys and I've still got problems with my ankle."
James, who worked in the oil industry before retiring and becoming a taxi driver, added that he was fit and healthy before his accident and has been left angry by the council denying any responsibility for his broken bone.
He continued: "I'm not a feeble pensioner. I'm fit. That's why I am so angry about what happened. I haven't done anything wrong. All I did was step in a hole that shouldn't have been there."
A spokesperson for East Renfrewshire Council said: "We're sorry to hear Mr Tiffoney suffered this injury. His claim was assessed by our insurers and rejected.
"We carry out routine safety inspections of our roads and pavements, with any safety issues, including potholes, recorded and repairs scheduled.
"We have re-inspected this site this week and although there has been slight deterioration, but it would not be classed as a safety defect."
James is appealing for witnesses to the incident in December and has asked anyone who saw him fall to get in touch. He can be contacted through his Facebook page.
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