A PENSIONER was rushed to hospital after having to crawl upstairs to use the toilet since his stairlift broke down almost a fortnight ago.

John Garner developed breathing problems last night, shortly after once again hauling himself up the stairs at his council home in Spalding Avenue, Clifton, York.

The 81-year-old and his wife, Denise, who are both in poor health, had earlier contacted the Evening Press about their plight after three attempts to repair the lift failed.

The couple said they had been told it could be up to a month before they got a replacement for the lift, which was provided by City of York Council.

The authority said today it was very concerned about the Garners' situation, and was sending an occupational therapist round to see what could be done to help them.

Speaking only hours before going by ambulance to York Hospital, Mr Garner said: "We are having to climb up the stairs bent over on our hands and knees every time we need the toilet. I have to stop half-way because I get out of breath.

"I have got an aortic aneurysm (heart defect), a double rupture, kidney trouble and I could go at any time. I have got swollen legs, my breathing is bad and I can't walk more than ten yards without having to stop. It's just ridiculous that this lift is still broken when we totally depend on it."

Mr Garner was today in a stable condition.

His daughter, Sally, who said his health problems had worsened since he had had to start hauling himself up and down stairs, called on the council to fit a new stairlift immediately. They have to put a new one in - what's the delay in that? They must have them."

Miss Garner said she had been told from the start that her parents' case was being treated as an emergency, and now wanted an investigation into the delays.

Mr Garner, a retired nurse, said a contractor had come to fix the lift on Monday last week, but a part was needed. Another contractor worked on the lift on Saturday and was able to get it going, but it broke down again. On Monday, the same contractor returned and took the lift out, leaving it outside his home.

Jim Crook, director of community services at City of York Council, said: "We have arranged for an occupational therapist to visit the Garners' home today so we can see what can be done to help them in the interim and to

discuss with them what options may be available to them."

He said the stairlift had been regularly inspected and maintained.

He said the council understood that, when the stairlift had broken down, an engineer who went out was asked to remove it by Mr and Mrs Garner, who indicated they would be making their own arrangements. But this was strongly disputed by Miss Garner.

Updated: 11:20 Thursday, February 27, 2003