A disabled man was taken to hospital after a plank fell on top of him and cut his head.

Ernest Reeves, 79, of Colne Lodge, in Mill End, took himself to hospital last Saturday after a plank fell on top of him causing a cut to his head, leg and foot.

Builders from ROALCO, based in St Albans, have been working in the flats and they opened a board to make sure the water does not leak.

Mr Reeves said: “I went to get my washing and the large plank fell on top of my head and cut me.

“The firm that is doing the building say it is not their fault as it is the people prior to them coming in.

“But in my eyes it was them who took the panel down and they should have secured it back into place.”

Mr Reeves also cut his leg and foot but because he has no feeling below his waist it was only until someone pointed out the blood he saw the cuts.

He said: “I feel like because we are pensioners we are being treated this way. We should not have to put up with being second class citizens.

“I have lived in this accommodation for four years now and nothing like this has happened before. I was only getting my washing which I am entitled to do.

“There are some people who are about 90 and use a Zimmer frame. If the plank had hit them they would have died. The company should not be allowed to do something like this.”

ROALCO has been approached for a comment.