An 86-year-old grandfather flooded out of his home a second time has recalled how he suffered a heart attack when his Oxford street was first deluged.

William Hillier and wife June, 82, left their flood-ravaged home in Normandy Crescent, Cowley, after a water main burst behind the street on September 23.

As the flood hit, the couple were troubled by fears Mr Hillier could suffer a heart attack as he did when the mains pipe first flooded the street in 2007.

Within just two hours after the first flood began, he was admitted to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford Mr Hillier said: “With all the thoughts that came rushing to mind, the first was please don’t let it be like the last time.

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“It was quite scary.”

The couple, who have been married for 64 years, had been living at their Cowley home for 60 years before they were flooded again last month.

Mr Hillier said he initially thought there was a fire after he woke to the sounds of sirens and people shouting at about 5.30am.

He added: “I woke the wife and together we stood staring at a nightmare come to haunt us for the second time.”

The father-of-three and grandfather-of-10 said he saw thousands of gallons of water gushing into his front garden.

As the water continued to rise, the couple were forced upstairs until firefighters rescued them on a life raft.

They were then directed to a refuge at Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre, along with other affected residents, but Mr Hillier said he received little help from council officers.

He added: “There was nothing they could do for us as their interest was in council tenants only.

“This was a repeat of seven years ago because we were told the exact same thing.

“You think the council would have learnt that people distressed to that extent would need to have a sympathetic ear. Nobody realises what stress and trauma is.”

An Oxford City Council spokesman said: “There was no distinction made between council tenants and owner-occupiers in accepting affected residents into the refuge.”

The couple then stayed with daughter Jayne Hillier, 45, for two weeks before she found them temporary accommodation in a ground-floor flat.

Miss Hillier, from Headington, said: “Dad does get really stressed out and really frustrated with it all. It’s really distressing for both of them.

“It’s really upsetting to see them go through it again.”

Mr Hillier said he is unhappy with the lack of contact he has received from Thames Water, Oxford City Council and its councillors.

He added: “Thames Water can’t do anything about the pipe bursting but they should have come round and offered condolences and sympathy to people concerned.”

Thames Water spokesman Stuart White said: “Mr and Mrs Hillier’s daughter asked us to speak to her direct, rather than her parents.

“While respecting their wishes, we made sure the family has our contact details should they ever need to get in touch during this very difficult period.”

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