Published: Thursday, 7th August, 2008 08:15
Four firefighters free boy from loo
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A FUN day at the beach was flushed down the pan for a Prestonpans family . . . when Michael McNeish got trapped in the loo.
The ten-year-old was getting changed into his swim gear at home in Preston Cresent, when mischief- making brother David, 8, slammed the door shut on him.
But the prank backfired, when the door wouldn’t budge and Michael remain trapped for two hours until a fire crew came to the rescue.
Mum Christine recalled shouting for Michael to ‘hurry up’ as the family were ready to leave the house.
“We were all ready and waiting downstairs and all we could hear was banging and Michael eventually shouted that he was stuck and that he couldn’t get the door open,” she said.
The mother-of five-tried everything to free the door, including taking the door handle off and using a crow bar, but she couldn't get it open.
The previous day, Christine's three-year-old daughter Sarah, got stuck in the bathroom but on that occasion Christine managed to force open the door. This time, she called neighbours for help but despite their efforts the door remained wedged shut.
She then phoned the police.
But she said she was told that it didn’t qualify as an emergency as Michael was not in distress.
Meanwhile, although Michael kept his cool, he was starting to complain that he felt very hungry!
“David ran around trying to make suggestions of how to get Michael out,” said Christine.
“Finally, a fire engine arrived and all the kids in the street came out to see it. Four firemen stood on the landing outside the bathroom deciding how to get Michael out.
“They used a crow bar and got him out in about two seconds!”
Michael, who attends Prestonpans Primary School with his brother, said: “I was a wee bit worried but my mum and my brother tried lots and lots of stuff and I tried hanging out the window to see if there was anyone I knew that could help.
“I’m happy I got out and the first thing I said was, ‘Can I see the fire engine?’”
After Michael’s release, the family decided to salvage something of the day with a late-afternoon trip to Portobello beach.
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