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Pensioner lay trapped under sofa for 60 hours... with nothing but a bottle of whisky to sip on

Updated: 11:52 EST, 27 January 2009


A pensioner who was trapped under his sofa after taking a fall in his lounge room survived on nothing but  whisky for almost three days.

Joe Galliott, 65, became stuck after tripping over a telephone cable during a power cut and landed on his three-seater settee, which toppled on top of him.

He was pinned to the ground under its weight and was unable to move because of a back injury.

The 19-stone pensioner, who is registered disabled, was only rescued after a neighbour's grandson heard his cries for help and raised the alarm. Pensioner Joe Galliott was trapped under his sofa for more than 60 hours after it toppled on him

Recovering at his home in Yeovil, Somerset, Mr Galliott - who lives alone - said he was 'lucky to be alive' after the incident last  week.

The now retired bricklayer said he thought he was going to die and that he wouldn't be found until it was too late.

'It was terrifying just lying there for so long and not being able to do anything about it - I honestly thought my days were numbered,' he said.

'It was complete darkness when I woke up, so I walked into the front room instead of the bedroom and did a somersault over the settee.

He added that he could not crawl or get past and the phone, food and water was out of reach.

Fortunately he was able to move his arms enough to get his hands on a nearby whisky bottle which had fallen onto the floor.

Mr Galliott said he was so relieved when a neighbour came to the window that he screamed.

Paramedics rushed Mr Galliott, who suffered bruising and abrasions, to nearby Yeovil District Hospital where he spent seven days recovering.

He said: 'I was in agony when I went in and I thought at the very least I am going to be paralysed.

'I have had two previous operations on my spine to put me straight. But they looked after me really well. I felt like I was among angels with the doctors and nurses.'

He is now planning to buy an emergency call button with a direct link to an on-call private nurse.

A spokesman for Yeovil District Hospital said: 'We are delighted Mr Galliott has made an excellent recovery and wish him all the best.

'Our staff work really hard and it is always pleasing for them to receive positive feedback.'




