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A shopper was in a critical condition tonight after apparently being attacked in a suspected trolley rage row during the Christmas rush.

The 60-year-old man – who locals say is deaf – is in hospital after suffering a broken hip and wrist at a Marks & Spencer store as he browsed the shelves during the festive break.

He was taken to hospital for treatment after the incident on December 22, but his condition worsened on Boxing Day.

It is alleged that a female customer rammed him with her trolley while surrounded by fellow shoppers.

Yesterday the Metropolitan Police confirmed that a 30-year-old woman had been arrested on suspicion of GBH.

A spokesman for the force said: “Police were called out to the store following reports of a man injured during an altercation.

"It is understood that the man was struck with a trolley being pushed by a woman. He fell to the ground and sustained injuries including a broken hip and wrist and was taken to hospital.”

But on Boxing Day officers were told that he had “suffered further health complications and that he was now in a critical condition”.

The arrested woman has been bailed until January 29 as officers ­investigate the incident which happened at around 1pm at The Glades Shopping Centre, in Bromley, South East London.

A spokesman for Marks & Spencer said: “We are assisting the police with their investigation and therefore it would not be appropriate for us to comment any further.”

One regular shopper at the store took to Twitter to tell of their shock and labelled the incident “sad”.

The injured man is in hospital in Kent and the police said they would be monitoring his condition closely.

The Met spokesman added: “We have heard it mentioned locally that the man involved is deaf but I’m not able to confirm that.

"We will now be keeping an eye on his condition. He is in a critical condition and that is not likely to change in the foreseeable future.”

He went on: “As with any incident where serious injuries have been confirmed we are working with the family to make sure they are fully abreast of what we are doing.

“They will have workers providing them with medical support as well.”