Widow, 82, Survives Being Trapped in Bathtub for 9 Days After Fall. Her Brother Says She Was Running Out of Time When Help Arrived

In a harrowing incident that has touched hearts across the nation, 82-year-old Joan Rivet from Clyde, North Carolina, survived an astonishing nine days trapped in her bathtub. Her struggle, marked by determination and faith, has prompted discussions about the vulnerabilities faced by elderly individuals living independently.

The ordeal began on June 1, when Rivet, who has been living alone since the death of her husband Clarence “Dez” Rivet in September 2023, was preparing for bed. In an unusual decision, she opted to get dressed in the bathroom rather than her bedroom. Unfortunately, she lost her balance and fell into the tub, becoming entangled in the shower curtains. Due to her isolation and the layout of her home, no one was nearby to hear her cries for help, leaving her reliant only on her domestic cat, Phoebe, for companionship.

“I was unconscious and barely had a pulse when the rescuers arrived,” Rivet recalled from her current recuperation at a rehabilitation centre. It was a shocking wake-up call for her brother, Bill Lesko, who has expressed relief that his sister survived the harrowing experience. “I’m sure God spared her life for she could be a testament and encouragement to others,” he said, articulating the profound belief in guardian angels that both he and Rivet share.

In her efforts to endure the dire circumstances, Rivet revealed she used resourcefulness to survive. Despite the faucet being only feet away, she couldn’t reach it. However, she discovered a way to turn on the spouting water using her toes, managing to hydrate herself daily. In the chilling days that followed her fall, she clung to a rope to wrap herself and used her limited strength to call for help as her cat mewed continuously behind the door.

Lesko, who lives next door to his sister and has a key to her house, explained that although Joan maintained an active lifestyle—driving herself to shopping and church—her absence from services raised alarm bells too late. “We’re now alerted to be more vigilant with single people living by themselves,” he stated, pushing for greater awareness in the community regarding the wellbeing of elderly neighbours.

When multiple phone calls went unanswered, Lesko contacted the local sheriff’s department for a welfare check. What began as a cautious inquiry turned urgent when authorities discovered Rivet in a critical condition, sparking a frantic rush to Haywood Regional Medical Center. According to her brother, “I think several more hours or another day, she would have died.”

Following her rescue, Rivet was swiftly transferred to the Skyland Terrace Rehabilitation Center, where she is regaining strength through physical therapy and adapting back to her dietary needs. Her resilience during this challenging recovery has propelled her to contemplate a significant life change. Joan has decided to relocate to Georgia to live near her family, a move that she feels is timely, as she looks forward to being surrounded by loved ones once again.

In an unexpected twist, her beloved cat Phoebe also faced an uncertain future following the incident. Initially in poor health, Phoebe was to be humanely put down, but fate intervened. A compassionate individual stepped forward to offer a caring home for the frail feline, providing some comfort amidst the chaos of Rivet’s ordeal.

Ready to embrace this next chapter in her life, Rivet’s experience serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of community connection, particularly for elderly individuals living alone. “Be aware of those who are living alone and check in on them frequently,” she implores. “You never know when an accident might happen, and it’s always nice to know people are thinking of you.”

As she continues to recover, Joan Rivet’s determination and faith shine through, inspiring those around her. Through the lens of her experience, she advocates for kindness and vigilance in communities, reinforcing that no one should feel isolated, especially in times of vulnerability.