Disabled customer "crushed" by Coles' new smart gate
A customer using a wheelchair has been crushed by Coles' new controversial smart gates, just months after it was rolled out in Aussie stores.
The smart gates were added to self-serve check-outs across the country late last year as a security measure against thieves.
The gates were installed with a range of other security measures in response to rising theft rates, including "CCTV, electronic article surveillance (EAS), and in some stores new smart gate technology that automatically opens as customers make payment for their products," according to a Coles spokesperson.
But on Tuesday a customer, who chose to remain anonymous, said that one of the smart gates “slammed shut” on them and their wheelchair, while they were on their routine shopping trip with their son.
After buying a few things the customer said that they were heading to the "wide open" gate, and their son passed through safely.
But, when they tried to follow, the gate abruptly closed “hitting” their arms and “crushing” their wheelchair.
The gate began to beep and only reopened when the customer pushed their way through.
Fortunately, the customer was not injured but wanted to raise awareness on the issue.
“I’ll be calling every day until SOMEONE tells me how to avoid being crushed next time,” they said.
A few other annoyed customers slammed the "invasive" and "annoying" technology.
“One literally snapped shut on our pram as we were pushing our kiddo through,” one person wrote on social media.
“I’d walked out the store first, pram and husband following behind. Especially cause they make them too small for you to go side-by-side!
“It’s insane, and I refuse to look at any self check out or check out with that in the path.”
Another added: “Not long until an elderly person is knocked over by them and breaks their hip or similar."
"It’s turning into a jail rather than a supermarket,” a third wrote.
Image: Getty