A kitten called Scampi had a lucky escape after he climbed into a washing machine moments before it was put on a spin cycle.
The inquisitive eight-week old ginger and white cat hopped into the washing machine when owner Frances Leate, 29, left the room to gather some washing.
Ms Leate, of Colchester, Essex placed more clothes into the drum and switched the load on for a 40-degree wash.
The mum-of-one was texting friends when she suddenly realised Scampi was not about and a "feeling in the pit of her stomach" told her what had happened.
She rushed into her kitchen to be confronted with the awful sight of the the washing machine filling with water before starting to spin.
Ms Leate switched the machine off but the water remained in the drum and the automatic lock initially prevented her from opening the door.
"I could see his little body squashed up against the glass. He was looking out at me and it was just awful - I could see that he was drowning and I was desperately trying to get the door open," she said.
Leave a comment