Three hurt falling into hole in road

COUNCILLOR Mohammed Masud (second right) with residents

A WRANGLE over a 6ft hole is leaving elderly Glodwick residents battered and bruised.

The hole, in an unlit alleyway connecting Brompton Street and Waterloo Street, was dug at the end of September to repair a water leak but has not been filled in.

Since then, three grandfathers have sustained injuries including cuts and concussion after falling into the hole.

Ulfat Hussain (71), from Savoy Street, needed hospital treatment for a deep cut to his hand after falling in two weeks ago.

Mr Hussain, general secretary of the Jamiat Ul Islam mosque, said: “It was about 8.30pm and I was walking by the wall when I suddenly dropped in.

“My legs were bruised and I cut my hand and had to go to the Royal Oldham Hospital.

“It was a big shock. If I’d hit my head I could have stayed there all night or worse.

“You could have been standing at my funeral.”

Fazal Hussain (68), from Park Road, was taking a short-cut on November 9 when he fell in.

He said: “I fell straight in, hitting my right leg as well as my back and shoulder. I also hit my head and was unconscious for about five minutes before being helped out. I was very dazed.”

Some of the residents are looking into taking legal action as a result of their injuries.

Councillor Mohammed Masud said: “There were plastic barriers around it but they were easily removed and have now fallen in as well.

“The alleyway is well used but there is no light. I’ve emailed and rung United Utilities, who said they would do something to sort it out

“We want it fixed. United Utilities and the council’s Highways Department are failing council-tax payers.”

A spokesman for the council said: “It is United Utilities responsibility, and we are in touch with them to get the matter resolved.”

A spokeswoman for United Utilities said they would investigate the matter.

She said: “If the hole is something United Utilities is responsible for, we will resolve the problem.”