A blind man from Lancashire, England, was Tasered by police last Friday after law enforcement officers mistook his white cane for a samurai sword, reports say.
According to Sky News, stroke victim Colin Farmer was hit in the back with a 50,000 volt Taser gun after police had received reports that a man was spotted walking through the town brandishing a samurai sword.
Farmer reportedly cried out "I'm blind! I'm blind!" while collapsing, but was still handcuffed by one of the officers, Sky News adds.
"The whole thing was like being trapped in a nightmare," the man told the Chorley Guardian, adding that he had initially thought that he was being "attacked by some hooligans."
Farmer was taken to the hospital for treatment and was later released.
“I was absolutely terrified. I thought any second I’m going to have another stroke and this one will kill me,” he said.
According to the Associated Press, Lancashire police have expressed "deep regrets" over the horrible mishap.
"We have clearly put this man through a traumatic experience and we are extremely sorry for that," Chief Superintendent Stuart Williams told the BBC. "We have launched an urgent investigation to understand what lessons can be learned."
The AP writes that a different man carrying a samurai sword was later arrested.
Farmer, who says the experience left his "shaking like a leaf and scared to go outside," is reportedly considering taking legal action against the police force, Sky News adds.
This is exactly why I'm against using tasers for any reason.
And also how exactly do you mistake a blind man's cane for a samurai sword?. 0_O. I hope he does sue them!.
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