'I got trapped in a lift – now I wake up screaming'

Dave Gardener said he could no longer look at the lift in Mayo Court

A traumatised pensioner says he has nightmares and wakes up screaming for help after he was trapped in a lift in a block of council-run flats.

Dave Gardener, 67, was stuck in the lift at Mayo Court retirement accommodation in Ipswich for an hour and a half when it broke down.

Mr Gardener, who is also diabetic, said: “Every time I walk past it now I have to turn my head away – I can’t even look at it and I never want to go in that lift again."

Ipswich Borough Council has apologised to residents affected by the broken lift.

The lift has been out of action since last Thursday and will not be fixed until at least next Monday

After being rescued by firefighters, Mr Gardener was taken to hospital.

The stroke, septicaemia and multiple heart attack survivor was cleared to return home, but he said the outcome could have been much worse.

"My heart was going like anything. It was really, really dry. There was no air, I was sweating, and I could have gone into a coma because of my diabetes,” he said.

"I am traumatised by it and the other night I was in bed screaming and shouting out 'Help, help' because I was having a nightmare about it.

"My heart is still beating [fast] now, and every time I go past it is just really, really horrible because I think I am going to be in there and I am going to get stuck again."

Dave Gardener said he would not use the lift again

Mr Gardener was rescued from the lift on August 22 but it remains out of action more than a week on, and it is not set to be fixed until September 2.

He has accused the council of not caring enough about the elderly residents who live there.

"It is disgusting because they should be here now doing it – there are residents in their 80s and 90s who live here and some of them have frames.

"There is a stairlift but what if you need an ambulance for somebody?"

Ann Lewington said she feared what might happen in an emergency

Since the incident, questions have been raised about the suitability of the accommodation for tenants with mobility issues who live there.

Ann Lewington, 77, said her neighbours were too scared to use the lift, and she was worried about what would happen if there was an emergency.

"I know of one or two who do not use the lift because [they are worried about it] and I feel sorry for the people on the top floor, who are stuck," she said.

"My mobility is not that good so I’m having to rely on the chairlift, but that takes forever to come up."

'Residents updated'

A spokesperson said: "The issue was reported immediately on Thursday 22 August, with our subcontractors on site on Friday 23 August to assess the extent of the repair.

"Due to parts of the lift needing to be ordered to complete the repair, the lift will be back in working order from Monday 2 September.

"We have written to all residents to inform them of the issue and we will continue to keep them updated.

"The resident who was in the lift at the time of breakdown was visited and spoken to the following day by the sheltered housing manager.

"Lifts in all our sheltered schemes are maintained every month.

"A stay-put policy is in place for Mayo Court in the event of a fire, and all residents who need a personal emergency evacuation plan have one completed and kept on site for the emergency services.

"The council is proactively working with all residents to ensure they all feel comfortable living in their homes."