Suffolk woman trapped in faulty home lift for three days.

A 63-year-old woman from Suffolk spent more than three days trapped inside a newly installed home lift after it malfunctioned less than 24 hours after being fitted.

Joan Branston, a retired housewife, became stuck midway between the ground floor and her upstairs lounge when the compact glass mobility elevator—marketed as a cost-effective solution for independent living—abruptly stopped functioning. The device, installed at a reported cost of £28,000, had been in operation for less than a day.

Mrs Branston remained inside the lift for 76 hours, sustained only by what she later described as “a handkerchief and dwindling patience.” With no built-in emergency alert system and her mobile phone left charging in the lounge she had been attempting to reach, her situation went unnoticed.

Stuck in the middle with you

The incident came to an end when a passing Amazon delivery driver reportedly heard faint but persistent shouting while attempting to locate a neighbouring address. Emergency services were subsequently called and freed Mrs Branston, who was described as “Weak, faint and neither up nor down.”

The manufacturer of the lift has issued a brief statement confirming it is “looking into the matter,” while declining to comment further on the reliability of the product or the absence of an internal alarm system.

Industry analysts note that the UK home mobility market has seen rapid growth in recent years, driven by an ageing population and a desire to “future-proof” domestic spaces. However, some observers suggest Mrs Branston’s experience may prompt renewed scrutiny of budget installations.

Mrs Branston has since returned to using the stairs, describing them as “slow, but ultimately, a safer bet.”

Meanwhile: Disabled parents turned away from Felsham baby shop