Cry for help

Newmarket postwoman Annie Shaw has saved a pensioner’s life after she heard her crying for help from her town flat. 

Last week, Annie was delivering the post to Regent’s Court in Rowley Drive, when she heard a noise coming from one of the flats. 

‘I heard somebody saying “Help, I’ve fallen over” but I thought it was the TV,’ said Annie. ‘So, I carried on doing the other four or five flats before I heard another shout. When I knocked on the door the person inside shouted: “Help me, I’ve fallen over.”’

Fortunately, the door was unlocked and Annie was able to get into the customer’s flat – but once inside, she saw the elderly resident lying on the floor, where she said she had been for the past three days. 

Annie, who has worked for Royal Mail for 30 years, said she had often helped customers with various things before while out on her rounds, but had never been confronted with a situation as serious as that one. 

After alerting a neighbour, whose daughter came to help, an ambulance took the lady to West Suffolk Hospital, where she received treatment. 

‘My husband said I saved her life,’ said Annie. ‘All I keep thinking is if I had just hurried along and didn’t have to go to the other flats, I could have just gone off and she might be lying there now. She wouldn’t have survived.’