The family of 102-year-old man are furious the war veteran was forced to spend Christmas, New Year and his birthday stranded alone in his flat after the life in his retirement block broke down.
Frank Proctor, who served in World War Two, had hoped to spend his birthday surrounded by his grand-children and great-grandchildren, but instead was left alone in his over 55s flat block in Southampton.
The lift broke down three days before Christmas day and remains unfixed 10 days later, meaning Mr Proctor’s family had to carry him down the stairs in his wheelchair so he could meet his loved ones in a nearby pub.
The breakdown has caused outraged with residents with mobility issue saying they feel like ‘prisoners’ with family members being forced to turn to ‘dangerous’ methods to help their relatives outside to enjoy the fresh air.
Mr Proctor’s Christmas plans with his children were ‘cancelled’ because they could not his wheelchair down the ‘steep’ flight of stairs.
Frank Proctor (pictured) turned 102 today but has spent much of the Christmas festivities alone due to a broken flat in his retirement block in Southampton, Hampshire
The World War Two veteran turned 102 today and had to be carried down the stairs of his flat block
Mr Proctor being carried down the stairs by his family members after the lift in his flat block broke
Instead the retired factory worker’s daughter had to bring the Christmas dinner to his flat, away from the majority of their family. It was just one several festive plans Mr Proctor had ruined.
His son Tom said: ‘The Thursday before Christmas, we were going to take him out for a meal at the pub which is next door to the building. We cancelled that.
‘Christmas Day, he was going to be with my sister, to celebrate Christmas with her and my family.
‘But, she cancelled that and cooked Christmas dinner and took it to his flat. So he was sat in his flat eating Christmas dinner with one member of the family.’
After several days being unable to leave the house, Mr Proctor’s son came up with a solution to allow his father to leave the building.
Mr Proctor Jr said: ‘Boxing day, I rallied the troops. I couldn’t do it Christmas day because they were all enjoying Christmas Day.
‘We got my two sons, me, and a couple of friends to literally carry him down the stairs. He was in a wheelchair and it obviously didn’t look too comfortable.
‘We went to my elder sisters. When she bought him back, out came the troops, and we carried him up the stairs.’
John Hammet, 59, lost his leg due to diabetes earlier this year and fell down stairs this week after having to walk down the stairs
William Sotton, 85, said he was stuck in the lift last week with his dog Susie
Mr Prctor pictured with his son Tom Proctor, 69, who has been calling for the lift to be fixed immediately
Despite successfully managing to carry him up, Mr Proctor highlighted how ‘dangerous’ it was to do so. He added: ‘It’s dangerous. Going down the stairs backwards with a wheelchair and someone in it, it’s precarious to say the least.
‘Going back up is just as bad.’
Great-grandfather of 14 Mr Proctor, who was awarded the prestigious Burma Star medal for his works in the RAF during World War Two, celebrated his birthday today.
His 69-year-old son added: ‘He hasn’t been out since Boxing Day, obviously, but we’re doing it again today at the local pub for his birthday. We’ve got to literally take him downstairs on the wheelchair and take him back up again.’
The pensioner lives in Linden Court on Wessex Road, which is a block of flats owned by the housing association Saxon Weald Homes. Linden Court consists of 21 one-bedroom and 14 two-bedroom apartments, suitable for over 55 year olds.
In July of this year, residents in the building were sent a letter about the faulty lift but it was never replaced and an alternative stair lift is yet to be fitted.
John Hammett, 59, lost his leg due to diabetes in April this year. The broken life means he cannot use his wheelchair and last week he fell down the stairs.
Mr Hammett said: ‘I was three steps from the bottom then I was gone. I lost my footing on my leg and I fell. I ended up by the lift. I think I blacked out for it. I still feel a bit queasy and I have headaches.’
Mr Hammett can’t remember much of his fall, apart from hurling forwards ‘like superman’.
Describing the impact of the broken lift, he said: ‘I can’t go out. I just feel trapped – like a prisoner.
‘I can get down the stairs, with difficulty, but I don’t want to. I don’t feel safe. I don’t want pity, it’s just out of order. If there’s a fire, what do I do?
‘It’s just every day you’re sat here. It’s so frustrating. Everyone knew it was on its last legs, it’s obsolete.’
Another resident, William Sotton said he was stuck in the lift last week with his dog Susie.
The 85 year old retired carpenter said: ‘I was in there and I got stuck in there. I pulled the cord and they sent the fire brigade.’
Mr Sotton said getting down the stairs is extremely difficult. He added: ‘There’s so many elderly people here that need the lift or some way of getting about.
‘I’m housebound. What do I do if there’s a fire here and I have to get out quickly.’
Saxon Weald wrote to residents on December 22. The letter said: ‘Our top priority has been to ensure the lift is operational before the Christmas break, however despite our contractor’s best efforts, we have been unable to complete a repair.’
The lift is yet to be fixed.