Guard crushed trying to stop thieves

A security guard is in a serious condition in hospital today after being crushed by a metal barrier while trying to catch suspected shoplifters.

Fred Agyekum, 33, suffered injuries to his head, chest and legs after he tried to stop a couple driving out of the B&Q car park in Chiswick.

Their Volvo estate rammed the car park barrier as Mr Agyekum tried to shut it and he was crushed against a metal post. He had been alerted when the couple set off an alarm as they left the DIY store at about 11.45am on Saturday.

The security guard challenged them and the man is believed to have threatened him with an object, possibly an iron bar. The couple then got into the car and tried to leave.

Mr Agyekum got one car park barrier closed but the Volvo hit the other one and drove off.

Mr Agyekum, from Camberwell, works for security firm VSG. Operations director Keith Francis said: "It was very brave of him to put himself in that situation. We hope he recovers as soon as possible."

He added: "We employ 3,000 security officers and this is one of the most serious incidentsinvolving our staff." Mr Agyekum is stable in Charing Cross Hospital. His wife is at his bedside.

The Volvo was found abandoned in Oxford Road South, Chiswick, later on Saturday.

The two suspects are white and in their mid-thirties. Anyone with information should phone police on 020 8247 6329 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.