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Wednesday, Oct 01, 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.

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