Clyde, North Carolina — An 82-year-old woman from western North Carolina is recovering after surviving an extraordinary nine-day ordeal trapped inside her bathtub, where she relied on determination, prayer and water from the bathtub faucet to stay alive until rescuers found her.
Joan Rivet, who lives alone in the town of Clyde, suffered the frightening accident on June 1 while getting ready for bed. According to her account, she fell backward into her bathtub after tripping in the bathroom, leaving her unable to climb back out because of severe injuries.
What followed was more than a week of isolation, pain and uncertainty before authorities finally discovered her alive.
Fall Left Her Unable to Escape the Bathtub
Rivet said the accident happened suddenly, causing her shower curtain and curtain rod to collapse on top of her as she landed inside the tub.
Living alone following the death of her husband in 2023, she had no one nearby to hear her repeated cries for help.
“My first thought was, ‘oh my goodness, what did I do?’” Rivet recalled.
She said intense back pain prevented her from lifting herself over the edge of the bathtub despite repeatedly trying.
As hours turned into days, Rivet said she could only hear her cat, Phoebe, meowing outside the bathroom door while she drifted in and out of consciousness.
“I’d see it get dark and lighter, dark and lighter. I lost track, to be honest, of the days.”
Faucet Water Helped Keep Her Alive
Determined to survive, Rivet found a way to access water despite being unable to move from the bathtub.
She said she managed to use her foot to turn on the bathtub faucet, allowing water to splash onto her face so she could drink enough to stay hydrated.
Throughout the ordeal, she relied heavily on her faith for strength.
“There were times I was crying out and I said, ‘Lord, help, help, help release the pain.’”
Although she was uncertain whether anyone would find her, Rivet said she continued praying and looking for ways to survive each passing day.
Brother’s Concern Led to Life-Saving Rescue
Several days after losing contact with his sister, Rivet’s brother, Bill Lesko, who lives about five hours away in Georgia, became increasingly worried.
After multiple phone calls went unanswered, he contacted neighbors, who confirmed that Rivet’s vehicle was still parked outside but saw no signs of activity around the home.
Concerned something was seriously wrong, Lesko requested a welfare check from the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies arrived at the home on June 10 and discovered Rivet semi-conscious inside the bathtub, bringing her ordeal to an end.
Long Recovery After Harrowing Ordeal
Rivet was rushed to a hospital, where doctors determined she was severely dehydrated, malnourished and suffering from bed sores after remaining in the same position for so many days.
She has since been transferred to a rehabilitation center, where she continues to regain her strength through therapy, IV fluids and nutritional treatment.
Remarkably, her cat Phoebe also survived despite being left alone inside the home during the nine-day ordeal.
Following the frightening experience, Rivet said she plans to relocate to Georgia to live closer to her brother so she will no longer have to face emergencies alone.
Looking back on the experience, she credits her survival to faith and perseverance.
“I spent a lot of time praying, there’s no doubt about that. And figuring out how to get out of the tub, and thanking the Lord that I was still alive.”
What do you think about Joan Rivet’s incredible survival story?
Have you or someone you know ever experienced a situation where a simple welfare check made all the difference? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.