Wilton man with cancer trapped in his council flat due to floods

Alan Pilgrim Senior, 69, has lived at Churchill Court since 2004 and said this is the "worst it's ever been".

Alan Sr has months, if not weeks, left to live and suffers from stage five prostate cancer, COPD emphysema, and aggressive lymph nodes. 

He has been unable to leave his home due to floodwater surrounding his only exit and reaching the stairwell of the flats.

Read more: Britford floods: Residents call for more help to protect their homes

Son Alan Junior, 43, is his dad's full-time live-in carer. He said it won't be long until his dad is "bedridden".

Alan Pilgrim Junior with Dog. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

The pair told the Journal that they hadn't been able to go shopping and the only time Alan Jr has left the house is to pick up his Dad's medication.

Alan Jr said: "Dad would not be able to go to the hospital and if I go out and get ill it could kill him quicker than the cancer.

"It's just getting worse and worse. I'd have to carry him out if we had to leave."

See more: Major Wiltshire route A303 shuts after flooding

Alan Sr said all he wants to do with the time he has left to live is socialise and see his one-and-a-half-year-old grandson.

He added: "If I could get in and out I wouldn't be sat here today, I'd be in town, going to the shops or visiting my friends.

"I'm just stuck here."

Residents wade through the water wearing wellies to get to their home (Image: Salisbury Journal)

They have to let their dog "go to the toilet" on their balcony since they can't get him through the water safely and he's starting to get "cabin fever".

After Alan Jr's monthly outgoings, he's left with "about £10" and "can't even buy a pair of wellies".

Watch: Wading through the floodwater at Churchill Court

On Thursday, January 19, a Wilton flood warden installed a 100ml water pump in an attempt to tackle the problem.

Alan Jr said he felt let down by Wiltshire Council after calling but receiving no immediate help or communication.

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Councillor Richard Clewer, leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “We are very concerned to hear about Mr Pilgrim’s experience.

“On Monday evening the Environment Agency made us aware of groundwater flooding in Wilton whereby Wiltshire Search and Rescue (WILSAR) voluntary agency were deployed to door knock in the affected area and to provide care and support to those who required it.

"Although there was standing water in the area there were no concerns raised by residents and by those services on the ground. Residents were comfortable that access to the building could be maintained despite the inconvenience of the floodwater.

“We are investigating why Mr Pilgrim’s call was not passed to our Housing and Adult Social Care teams when first contact was made. We are also in touch with the Environment Agency (EA) to find out why Mr Pilgrim’s details were not taken and passed on to us.

"Our Adult Social Care team has now contacted Mr Pilgrim to offer support, and our Housing Services team are exploring whether a temporary walkway is necessary given that the EA has confirmed that flood waters in the area are now receding with an overall improvement in ground conditions across Wilton.”

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Floodwater has damaged residents' belongings in the shed and it has started seeping into the groundfloor flats.

Floodwater damage inside a flat in Churchill Court. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

The area saw heavy flooding in 2014 but the pair were able to put up scaffold boards to create a bridge to the pavement.

Alan Jr is calling upon the council to help residents by getting them out or giving them wellies to be able to leave safely.