"It's been terrible": Relief for 102-year-old trapped in unit for over a month
102-year-old Joan Mather had been stuck inside her home at the St Kilda Memorial Hall in Melbourne for 32 days after the lift broke down. and now she's finally free.
Mather was trapped inside her third-storey apartment as she is unable to use the stairs due to her age.
"It's been terrible. I used to love to go to the doctor," Mather told A Current Affair.
"I can't even talk to the doctor. I've got to talk to him or her on the phone.
"This is the second time this has happened. When are we going to have a lift which you rely on?"
Concerned neighbours have been checking in on the centenarian, who was left "totally isolated" if it weren't for a few visitors who were able to walk up to the top floor.
"She's been very lonely," fellow resident Gill said.
"For a 102-year-old, Joan is very active.
"She's used to coming down for a coffee and maybe a wine, and (she has been) totally isolated now except for people who can walk up to the top floor."
Mather was born on June 17, 1922, and served in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force during WWII, before moving to Australia with her husband in the 50s.
A spokesperson for Otis Elevators, who was working on the Memorial Hall issue said: "We will continue to work closely with the building management to alleviate the flooding issue and return the lift to service as soon as possible."
"We apologise for any disruption caused to the residents."
The elevator was finally fixed on Thursday afternoon and Mather celebrated with a glass of champagne at St Kilda's Heroes Lounge bar.
Images: Nine/ A Current Affair