A grandmother who gained widespread attention after being lifted 10 feet into the air by a shop shutter has passed away two years following her unexpected rise to fame.
Anne Hughes, 73, found herself suspended outside a village shop, a comical incident that went viral with over 100 million views on social media. Unfortunately, she fell ill last year and passed away in the hospital just before the holiday season.
The incident occurred in Tonteg, near Pontypridd in South Wales, where cameras captured Anne standing outside the store with her shopping trolley. Shopkeeper Amir Akram unknowingly raised the electronic shutters, causing Anne’s coat to get caught and hoist her into the air.
Upon hearing her calls for help, Mr. Akram rushed to assist Anne, bringing her safely back to the ground. Despite the embarrassment, Anne, who worked part-time as a cleaner at the shop, found humor in the situation and even embraced her newfound fame, enjoying taking selfies with the infamous shutters.
Tragically, Anne, who had been battling cancer, passed away in the hospital last month surrounded by her family. Remembered as a lovely woman with a great sense of humor, she declined opportunities to appear on television shows, choosing to stay out of the spotlight.
Although formally retired in 2017, Anne continued to lend a hand at the store. Store manager Amed Akram recalled her reaction to the incident, noting her laughter and appreciation for the comedic aspect of the situation.
To commemorate the moment, the shop commissioned artist Tee2Sugars to paint a mural on the shutters, capturing the humorous event. The artist, delighted by the opportunity, completed the artwork in about two hours, despite the challenges of working on roller shutters. The piece has been a source of amusement for passersby, with some even mistaking the artist for Banksy.
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