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COLD HEARTED

Amazon worker with heart ailment said bosses left him in cold for four hours following emergency treatment

Anthony Burns quit his shift after he was struck down by chest pains but returned to find himself stranded outside the Dunfermline depot

AN Amazon worker with a heart ailment told how bosses left him locked out in the cold for four hours following emergency hospital treatment.

Anthony Burns, 19, quit his shift after he was struck down by chest pains.

 Anthony Burns phoned NHS 24 to find out why he felt ill and was advised to attend a hospital for treatment
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Anthony Burns phoned NHS 24 to find out why he felt ill and was advised to attend a hospital for treatmentCredit: News Group News Papers Ltd

But he claims he returned from A&E to find himself stranded outside the internet sales giant’s Dunfermline depot after being prevented from waiting inside for his lift home.

He said: “I started to feel poorly so I told my supervisor I was phoning NHS 24.

 Burns took a taxi to hospital before returning to wait for his lift home at the Dunfermline warehouse - but was not allowed to sit inside while he waited
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Burns took a taxi to hospital before returning to wait for his lift home at the Dunfermline warehouse - but was not allowed to sit inside while he waitedCredit: Alamy

“The nurse I spoke to advised me to get myself che­cked out at hospital. I took a taxi there and was admitted for tests.

“When I got back a couple of hours later I asked the duty manager if could wait in the cafe but they wouldn’t let me.

“I don’t drive and rely on my friend to take me to work and back.

“I was outside for four hours, still feeling weak and unwell, and it was 4°C.”

 Burns has a heart condition, so his chest pains could have been serious
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Burns has a heart condition, so his chest pains could have been seriousCredit: News Group News Papers Ltd

Seasonal employee Anthony was eventually driven 35 miles home to Tullibody, Clacks, after his pal finished his shift.

But he remains furious at his treatment — especially as he informed chiefs he suffers from pericarditis, which causes palpitations.

He added: “They knew I was unwell but felt it was okay to leave me out there in the middle of December.

“All I needed was a warm place to sit but they refused. They don’t seem to care about workers.”

 Burns slammed the retail giant for 'not caring about workers' after he was made to sit out in the cold
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Burns slammed the retail giant for 'not caring about workers' after he was made to sit out in the coldCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

 

Last night an Amazon spokesman said the incident was being investigated.

She added: “The health and safety of our team is our first priority.”

It comes after Labour MSP Neil Findlay branded Amazon a “Victorian exploiter” over low wages and tax avoidance.

He called on ministers to stop dishing out grants worth £1million last year.

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