An elderly woman broke both her wrists when an escalator came crashing to a halt in a Stockport supermarket in what police have described as a ‘prank gone wrong’.

The 79-year-old woman suffered broken bones, cuts and bruises when the emergency stop button was pressed on the escalator at Asda on Friday afternoon.

The pensioner was taken to hospital and is currently awaiting surgery just days before Christmas.

Detectives said the woman was coming down the escalator of Asda supermarket, on Warren Street, when the button was pressed, causing her to fall forward.

The elderly lady was left with two broken wrists, cuts and bruises to both legs and cuts to her forehead which required 15 stitches.

The incident happened at around 7.10pm on Friday, December 18.

It is understood that Asda colleagues rushed to help the pensioner when she fell and stayed with her until paramedics arrived at the scene.

An Asda spokesperson said CCTV images from the Stockport store have been passed onto the police who are investigating the matter.

In a statement they said: “We are working very closely with police on tragic incident that happened at the Stockport store.”

Police are now appealing for witnesses to come forward.

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Detective Sergeant Geoff Machent said officers would like to speak to two teenage girls who were seen in Asda at the time of the incident.

He said: “From what we have been told, we believe two women in their late teens were seen near to the emergency stop button at the time it was stopped and I would ask them to come forward.

“At this moment in time, we think this may have been a prank that has gone wrong, leaving an elderly woman in hospital.

“She is due an operation soon and she, along with her family, is hoping she will be at home for Christmas.

“I would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed what happened to call us on 0161 856 9747 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

It is understood that Asda colleagues rushed to help the pensioner when she fell and stayed with her until paramedics arrived at the scene.

An Asda spokesperson said CCTV images from the Stockport store have been passed onto the police who are investigating the matter.

In a statement they said: “We are working very closely with police on tragic incident that happened at the Stockport store.”