Anne Hughes, 73, who became famous after being hoisted by shop shutters in Tonteg, South Wales, has died following a battle with cancer
Grandma Who Went Viral After Store Incident Passes Away
Anne Hughes, a 73-year-old grandmother, has sadly died after a battle with cancer. She became a viral sensation on TikTok after CCTV footage showed her being unexpectedly lifted into the air by store shutters.
Incident Details
The incident occurred in March 2024 outside the Best One shop in Tonteg, near Pontypridd, South Wales. Anne’s coat got tangled in the electric roller shutter, leaving her dangling 10 feet in the air while she held onto her shopping trolley.
Shop owner Amir Akram activated the shutter without realizing Anne was there. He quickly ran to help her when he heard her shouting for assistance.
Public Reaction
Anne, who worked part-time as a cleaner at the shop, became an overnight sensation after the footage was shared online. She expressed her embarrassment at the time but later found humor in the situation. “I’ve quite enjoyed the fame,” she said, noting that people often asked for selfies with her next to the shutters.
Video Impact
The video gained over two million views shortly after its release and was viewed more than 50 million times across BBC channels and social media. Anne remarked, “I’ll never lean against those shutters again,” and joked about the shop’s prices, saying, “It’s the shop where the prices don’t go up but the staff do.”
Legacy
Street artist Tee2Sugars created a mural for Anne on the shutters, calling it “too good to pass up.” Despite offers from TV shows, including an in-person chat with Kate Garraway, Anne declined to participate.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Anne Hughes |
| Age | 73 |
| Location | Tonteg, South Wales |
| Incident Date | March 2024 |
| Video Views | Over 50 million |
| Occupation | Part-time cleaner |
