The unlikely saviour

Disabled pensioner saves the day after flooding threatens hospital

A disabled pensioner has saved the day after flooding threatened to cut off power to a hospital.

Alan, 84, who has Parkinson's and limited mobility, used his invention to direct flood water away from a power distribution unit at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

Heavy rain caused a river nearby to burst its banks and Alan, who lives in a bungalow on the hospital grounds, knew he had to act quickly.

His invention — a contraption of wood and plastic sheeting — diverted the water into a nearby drain, preventing it from reaching the unit and cutting off power to the hospital.

Staff at the hospital have praised Alan's quick thinking, saying he saved the day.

"Alan is a hero," said one nurse. "He's 84 years old and disabled, but he didn't think twice about putting himself in danger to save the hospital. We're so grateful to him."

Alan said he was just glad he could help.

"I saw the water coming up and I knew I had to do something," he said. "I'm not a hero, I just did what anyone would have done."