London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

Postman who left pensioner in snow because he was too tired to help is suspended

Postman who left pensioner in snow because he was too tired to help is suspended

The Royal Mail postman who caused outrage after leaving a pensioner lying in the snow after a fall is believed to have been suspended.

Thomas McCafferty, 51, was filmed refusing to help Patricia Stewart, 72, last week because he was ‘too tired’.

She had fallen over in the snow in Falkirk, Scotland, in some of the coldest temperatures the UK has seen in more than two decades.

And now the worker has been suspended pending further investigation, after MailOnline revealed his identity.

Mrs Stewart’s niece, Sheryl Harkins, said: ‘Our usual postman is lovely. But what this gentleman did is disgusting. He deserves everything he is going to get.

‘He seems to be quite well known in the postal industry and has worked there for over 20 years.

‘The postal workers I have spoken to are refusing to work with him again and I’ve been told he’ll be moved to another office, but I’m hoping they won’t work with him either.

‘He shouldn’t be working with the public.’



The Royal Mail worker has reportedly been suspended pending further investigation


She claimed she hasn’t received any kind of apology from the postman personally so far, but Royal Mail has said sorry for what happened.

The incident came to light after footage from a neighbour’s camera doorbell was posted on social media.

In the video, the postman is heard saying: ‘I can’t help. I’m knackered. Absolutely knackered.’

But a helpful Hermes worker, 22-year-old Karolina Domska, thankfully arrived a short time later and asked a neighbour for help.

MailOnline approached Mr McCafferty for comment, but he wasn’t at home. Instead, a neighbour said: ‘He hasn’t been seen for the last few days, but people are talking about him.

Patricia Stewart, 72, was left feeling ‘worthless’ after the postman left her in the snow

Mrs Stewart’s niece Sheryl Harkins, 36, was shocked by how her aunt was treated


‘I haven’t seen the video but it is not something people expect of members of the local community and especially a postman. We’re close knit around here.

‘We like to think we would help each other in need.’

Ms Harkins, 36, said her aunt is now recovering well after being made to feel ‘worthless’ by the postman.

She previously said of the incident: ‘I was shocked and disgusted. I’ve been looking after my aunt since September.

‘I thought it didn’t sound right at first – nobody would leave a 72-year-old on the ground.

Hermes worker Karolina Domska, 22, thankfully arrived a short time later and asked a neighbour for help


‘But then I saw the video. I was in disbelief. If I hadn’t seen the video, I wouldn’t have believed it.

‘It beggars belief. I don’t know what the guy was thinking. It was bizarre.’

A Royal Mail spokesperson told Metro.co.uk: ‘Royal Mail expects the highest standards of behaviour from our people while out on deliveries and collections at all times.

‘We regularly remind our postmen and postwomen of the important role they play in their local communities.

‘We were very sorry to learn about this incident, and for the distress this incident has caused.

‘We have been in touch with the customer concerned to apologise and to inform them we are investigating this incident.’

They added local management had personally visited Mrs Stewart last week to apologise.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×