A Wiltshire pensioner was left stuck in a town centre bank’s disabled lift for nearly an hour, without any way of contacting help.
Geraldine Sear, 79, who recently moved to Devizes, has been banking with Lloyds Bank for more than 60 years and visited their branch in the Market Place on Wednesday, July 31.
Due to her reduced mobility, she used the disabled access lift at the back of the branch to get in and out of the building.
As she was leaving, she and her friend Gillian, who is also a pensioner with some mobility issues, became trapped in the lift when it jammed.
The pair said there was no way for the pair to call for help as there is no emergency button or alarm system fitted on the lift.
After some effort, Gillian was able to climb out of the lift and get help, but Geraldine had to wait another 45 minutes before being rescued.
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She said: “The lift is not fit for purpose, on the way in it was very jerky and made a lot of noise, and on the way out it jammed about six inches off the ground.
“It was the hottest day of the year and I was sat in there with no shelter for around 45 minutes, luckily my friend was able to help at great risk to herself.
“I was stressed and seriously worried about getting out, I don’t think it’s good enough for an institution of their size.”
Lloyds Bank says it has repaired the lift since the incident and it is now in working order.
But Geraldine and Gillian remain concerned that the “isolated” lift, and the lack of shelter or ways to contact help, could put another person in danger.
“Geraldine could have been stuck there for three or four hours if she was on her own”, said Gillian.
“There is still no signage, shelter, alarm system, or even a bell on a string, if it had been winter and that happened the consequences could have been much worse.”
Geraldine added: “It’s not about me, it’s about the people who have mobility issues a lot worse than mine who would have had no hope.”
A Lloyds Bank spokesperson: “We’re sorry for any distress caused when our lift stopped working when Mrs Sear was leaving our Devizes branch.
“The lift is working, and customers can speak to colleagues for assistance entering or leaving the branch using the lift”
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