A WOMAN feared for her life after getting trapped in a sunbed – and says the "horrifying" wait for help was like being trapped in a coffin.
Natalie Rene, 33, from Loughborough, had to be rescued by four firefighters after becoming stuck inside the tanning machine.
The mum-of-four had visited Tanning House by Miami Sun in Loughborough, Leics, when disaster struck.
Natalie described the experience as "like being in a coffin" and compared it to a scene in a horror film.
Luckily, law student Natalie managed to switch the UV lights off as soon as she realised that she was stuck inside, but she said the wait for help was "horrifying" and has put her off sunbeds for life.
She said: "I thought, 'This is going to be my coffin' The lights were on and I thought, 'I'm going to burn to death like in the movie Kick-Ass.'
"It was awful, I was really panicking I just didn't know what to do.
"I was pressing and pressing on the button but the lights didn't switch off for what felt like ages.
"I'm really strong but I just couldn't lift the lid off me, I had literally an inch or so and all I could do was shimmy a little side to side.
"I'm not good with small spaces and my anxiety went through the roof.
"I thought I'd get crushed – if not burned to death, then they'd have to drag my naked body out.
"Even the thought of the firemen getting me out of there while I wasn't dressed was utterly horrifying."
Natalie went to the tanning salon on Lansdowne Drive, which charges between £20 and £50 for a session.
She paid up and switched on the lights but, as she lowered herself onto the bed she says the lid slammed shut.
Natalie says she cried out for help and, after about five minutes two female members of staff came.
They managed to open the shutter on the booth but couldn't get her out of the machine.
Natalie says two customers then came to help and told staff to close the shop while the fire service was called.
Firefighters then turned up around and freed her – while she covered her modesty with a sheet of paper.
Natalie said: "We would have been so screwed if it hadn't been for those two women [customers] – they helped me so much.
"They were a godsend. I am so utterly grateful to them. They were the only ones who could think straight.
"Apparently the sunbed had just been serviced – but the firemen said the hinges had completely gone."
Natalie said she dressed quickly and left following the incident.
The owner of Tanning House by Miami Sun did not provide a comment when approached.
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said: "We received a call at 2.42pm on May 27, 2022, to Miami Sun in Loughborough.
"Caller stated that the sunbed was stuck, the occupier was unharmed. We attended and by 3pm had released the individual who was stuck in the sunbed."
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