Elderly US woman survives nine days trapped in bathtub after fall

An 82-year-old US woman survived nine days trapped in her bathtub after a fall left her unable to stand, call for help or escape.

Widow Joan Rivet of North Carolina was discovered on June 10 after relatives and neighbours became concerned when they could not reach her, the Mountaineer first reported.

“I was unconscious and barely had a pulse when the rescuers arrived,” Rivet told People from her room at the rehabilitation centre where she was slowly recovering.

“I don’t remember being rescued by them at all, to be honest with you.”

The accident happened on June 1 as Rivet prepared for bed. She was changing into her pyjamas in the bathroom rather than in her bedroom and lost her footing, People reported.

“Clumsy me, I tripped over my own two feet,” Rivet told the outlet.

She fell backwards into the bathtub, pulling down the shower curtain and rod. She repeatedly tried to pull herself out but failed.

“I was trying from day to day to figure out how to get out of the tub, but nothing worked,” she said. “It started getting chilly, so I was able to use the rod to get my terry robe, which gave me some warmth.”

Meanwhile her pet cat Phoebe kept vigil outside her closed bathroom door, meowing constantly.

Rivet told Mountaineer she kept praying the whole time.

“Lord, help, help, help release the pain,” she said. At one point she recalled thinking, “Oh my goodness, what did I do?”

Although the tap was within reach, she could not bend far enough to turn it on by hand. Eventually, she worked out how to use her toes to operate the faucet, allowing her to access drinking water and stay alive, People reported.

Her brother, Bill Lesko, said the family believes faith played a role in her survival.

“We both believe there are guardian angels,” Rivet’s brother, Bill Lesko, 79, told People. “I’m sure God spared her life for she could be a testament and encouragement for others.”

After several unanswered calls to his sister, Lesko asked neighbours to check on her before contacting authorities for a welfare check.

Rivet was found in a critical state and taken to Haywood Regional Medical Center and later transferred to a rehabilitation facility.

“I think several more hours or another day, she would have died,” Lesko told People.

Rivet has decided to leave North Carolina and relocate to Georgia, where she plans to live next door to her brother.

She also urged people to regularly check on elderly relatives, friends and neighbours who live alone.