Saved by the bell!

Bill Partington (85) was rescued from his bath.

AN 85-YEAR-OLD grandfather who got stuck in his bath has praised an emergency alarm team.

Bill Partington, from Shaw Street, Greenfield, was having a morning bath on Monday when he found he could not get out.

Mr Partington tried banging on the walls and shouting out to neighbours but to no avail.

So the quick-thinking octogenarian managed to lasso his emergency red button with a towel and call for help.

The former Mossley fireman, who has lived alone since his wife died two years ago, said: “I’ve had an awful cold so decide to take a bath to warm myself up.

“It was only when I tried to get out that I found my legs had seized up.

“I couldn’t pull myself out no matter how hard I tried and I was starting to get cold as I’d let the water out.

“I thought ‘I’m going to be in here all day if I don’t get help’ so I spied my red alarm button and flicked it over with a towel.”

The Oldham Helpline Service, run by First Choice Homes, is an 24-hour emergency alarm service.

Within seconds of pressing the button, the alarm was raised at the headquarters in Royton and two staff members arrived to help.

He said: “Three women came as quick as they could.

“One actually got in behind me to push me to my feet while the other helped me out of the bath.

“They all did a really good job and I want to thank them for their help.

“I’ve had the system for the past 12 months and never used it.

“I never thought I’d need it and to be honest thought it was a bit of a waste of time.

“But if it hadn’t been for the service, God knows what would have happened to me.

“If my story can help save someone else’s life, then it’s worth it.”

A spokesman for First Choice Homes said: “We are very proud of our service and anyone who wants to find out more about it should call 0161-770 6942.”