Frail elderly woman isolated in Cosham flat after lift breaks dies suddenly

Mary Pickin, 92, died peacefully last week at her second floor rented flat in Peelers Gate. Her grandson Neil White had posted a video on Twitter showing the pensioner’s plight with her struggling to get up and down the stairs.

The lift has been broken since January, leaving many of the residents facing difficulties in the Wayte Street street block – with Portsmouth North MP Penny Mordaunt now taking up the fight.

Notices were sent to the 30 flat owners telling them to contribute £11,000 to have the lift repaired.

Ms Pickin’s situation was compounded by the reality she was not even the leaseholder of the flat with her renting – raising questions over whether she was liable to pay for lift repairs.

Now, speaking after her death, Mr White said: ‘Like most old people nan had some health issues but I do believe the situation contributed to her decline. Obviously we can't quantify how much of an effect it had.

‘I spoke to nan on the phone the day before she passed and she was really down which was unusual for her. She just kept saying she was “bored” and “stuck in my chair looking out the window”.

‘Having no lift not only prevented her from going out and meeting people but it also prevented many of her friends from visiting her.’

Mr White added: ‘I know she was grateful to all those who were supporting her on the lift issue.’

Nick Faulkner, managing director of AFP, said: ‘I was sorry to hear the news over the lady’s death but without breaking the law I fail to see what more our business could do.’

He also confirmed that ‘reserve funds are in place to cover the costs’ with the company hoping to get the contractor to repair the lift on April 14.

Mr Faulkner also said the company had received a letter from Ms Mordaunt – with the company responding by highlighting its ‘legal constraints’.