A concerned CBHA neighbour and local priest helped save an elderly woman’s life after they realised they had not seen her for a couple of days.
Father Petries called round to speak to the Chingford nonagenarian but there was no reply. CBHA resident and neighbour James Syrett said he had not seen her either which was unusual. The two men called in at CBHA’s local area office to report that they were worried.
CBHA asset management surveyor Kerry Wicks immediately called CBHA contractors TM Anderson Building Maintenance to say they might need to force entry at the woman’s home. She left immediately and met them there.
She said: “The lock was on with the key in the lock on the inside which meant she was definitely at home. We rang and knocked but could not get her to respond so we decided to break in via the patio door.
“We found her on the floor, wedged behind the door. She had a pulse but she looked very dehydrated and blue on the lips.”
An ambulance was called and the woman was taken to North Middlesex Hospital. Staff there have now described her condition as ‘comfortable’.
CBHA staff have secured the property. CBHA’s tenancy support team will be talking with her about a support package including a personal alarm for when she returns home.
Head of asset management Emma Luscombe said: “A massive thank you goes to Mr Syrett and Father Petries whose quick action in contacting us saved this resident’s life. It is good to be reminded of some of the many community-minded people in our neighbourhoods. Thanks also to Kerry and our contractors TM Anderson.”
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