Shopper Nicholas Hardaker was left covered in blood when he went to buy two bookcases - and was buried under a pile of them, writes Richard

Abbott.

The former soldier was buying two flatpacked bookcases at Robert Dyas, in Shoe Lane, Oxford, when the bizarre accident happened.

As the 66-year-old pulled the boxes from their shelf, the whole display came crashing down, burying him under heavy boxes.

He said: "I'm a big fan of Laurel and Hardy and Harold Lloyd and for once I was the star of my own slap-stick comedy. I suffered heart problems six months ago, so this could have been nasty, but I can see the funny side. "When I went to the store's washroom to clean up, paramedics were with me within seconds because they had been helping a man who had fainted outside the store. I said to them 'Hello lads, this must be a record response time'."

Mr Hardaker, of Salter Close, Oxford, who works as a welfare officer for the Soldiers, Sailors and Air Forces Association, suffered cuts to his head in the accident on Tuesday.

He declined hospital treatment but was given stitches by his doctor. Suitably patched up, the old soldier went back into action to buy the bookcases. Farooq Tariq, assistant manager at Robert Dyas, said: "At the time it was difficult to see the funny side because he looked quite badly injured. But we were pleased to see him come back to buy the items afterwards."

The shop's manager has promised to replace Mr Hardaker's glasses, which were smashed in the accident.

Story date: Thursday 10 February

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