Broken lift means man, 80, with cancer must climb to flat

Brian Dabbs has been forced to walk stairs to the fourth floor

A resident with lung cancer has been forced to climb to the fourth floor of his block of flats because of a broken lift.

Brian Dabbs, 80, said the lift in the Runnymede Court block in Sketty, Swansea, broke down on Sunday.

He suffers from mesothelioma, and says he is worried it will be five days until it is repaired.

Beacon Housing apologised and said it is trying to fix the lift.

"People have been stuck in there for maybe three times in the last three months, and it happened again on Sunday," Mr Dabbs said.

"I've spoken to the one lady that was stuck in the lift and there were two people in there altogether - a lady, a man and a dog.

"I'd gone out for food on Sunday and when I came back I was told I had to walk up the stairs.

"I live on the top floor, and I'm suffering from mesothelioma and I've got a shortness of breath and I need that lift to get out."

The lift problem has meant residents having to climb stairs

He added: "So today (Tuesday), I've had to come out for a prescription and I've got to walk up the stairs to get up there. I rest on every floor.

"It's just so inconvenient. It's unbelievable. My friend phoned the lift company and said they couldn't fix it till Friday. So we've got another few days before it gets fixed."

Beacon Housing told BBC Wales it was made aware the lift had developed a fault on Sunday.

A spokesman said: "Lift contractors attended within the hour to assess the issue but due to the nature of the fault, parts are required to restore its operation.

"These were ordered and repairs will be completed promptly once received. However, the indicative timescale provided to homeowners for repair reflects the time that parts will take to be delivered.

"We apologise for the inconvenience and are making every effort to reinstate the lift promptly.

"We have had no contact from homeowners at Runnymede beyond the initial reporting on Sunday and are therefore unaware of anyone experiencing individual difficulties. If they contact us, we can put them in touch with relevant support based on their individual circumstances."