A DISABLED couple were trapped in their wheelchairs for three days when the power cut hit their Slade Green home.

David Lynch, 53, has multiple sclerosis while his wife Julie, 41, has cerebral palsy and asthma.

They live in a specially adapted flat in Newbury Road, but need an electric hoist to get them out of their wheelchairs.

Mrs Lynch also has an electrically powered nebuliser for her asthma.

They both use incontinence pads which can only be changed when lying on the bed.

The couple rely on carers who visit twice a day to get the couple out of bed, washed and dressed and put them to bed at night.

Mr Lynch said when the electricity first failed, the carers arrived in daylight but, without electricity, could not change their pads or put them to bed.

Mr Lynch said: “We had food in the house, but no way to cook it.”

After the carers left, the couple had a sandwich and spent the night in their wheelchairs with just a candle and a battery-operated radio.

The following morning, carers brought water for a hot drink and cereal for the couple, but were not able to get them washed or change their pads.

Mr Lynch’s mother Jean, 83, drove from her home in Blackfen to help, while a neighbour Stan Ellis lent them a small camping stove and brought hot fish and chips.

The carers arrived, but without power, could do nothing.

By now the batteries on the couple’s mobile phones had given out.

Mr Lynch said: “We felt abandoned, on our own and very vulnerable.”

They spent a second, increasing uncomfortable night in wheelchairs and soiled pads.

The following morning Mrs Lynch was having difficulty breathing and carers called an ambulance, which gave Mrs Lynch oxygen and nebulised her.

Mr Lynch’s mother made another trip to Slade Green, bringing a hot meal and hot water to make drinks.

Mr Lynch said: “We hadn’t heard from anyone apart from my mother and Stan.

“Then out of the blue at about 4pm some people from Bexley Council’s moving and handling team turned up.

“They picked us up out of our chairs, washed us, changed the pads and put us to bed”

The couple stayed in bed the following day until power was restored.