Injured elderly man slams uneven Burnham High Street paving 

An elderly man who needed six stitches in his head after tripping on uneven paving in Burnham High Street is considering legal action.

Warren Palmer, from Gore Road, was walking down the High Street on Tuesday, July 5 at 8.15am when he tripped on uneven cobbling near the Tesco Express.

The man, in his late 70s who works in business finance, said: “If I had fallen with my hands in my pockets I would have died.”

Mr Palmer’s right arm went out as he fell causing him to sprain his wrist.

However the worst of his injuries was a four-inch cut in his head, which required him to have six stitches.

An employee, who works at a nearby Tesco store, took care of him at the scene before taking him to Burnham Health Centre where he was transferred to Wexham Park Hospital for further treatment.

Mr Palmer added: “The girl who came out of the Tesco took a photo on her phone.

“She said ‘we can see your skull’.”

Mr Palmer had a black eye from his fall and said there was blood all over the pavement.

“I looked like something out of a horror movie,” Mr Palmer added.

“Why do they need cobbled high streets? It’s not the medieval times,” said Mr Palmer.

“I’ve taken legal advice and my lawyer thinks I have a case.”

In May, uneven paving in the High Street caused a 68-year-old woman to fall and break her hip.

Buckinghamshire County Council responded by saying that nothing in the location met their criteria for repair but said following further falls they would carry out repairs.

Responding to Mr Palmer’s fall, a Buckinghamshire County Council spokesman said: “We are sorry to hear of the injuries received to this gentleman following his fall, and hope he makes a speedy recovery.

“Repair work is planned for three areas on the High Street later this year, but we would encourage members of the public to report any defects they feel require urgent attention.”

Reports can be made online at www.buckscc. gov.uk/telltfb or by calling the county council on 01296 382416.