Vicky Martin was fast asleep in the family home at 6.30 on Tuesday morning when she was woken by a loud crack - before a giant sheet of heavy plasterboard fell on the foot of her bed.
Mum Emma Fraine was thanking her lucky stars that the 16-year-old was able to crawl out of bed and call for help.
But it could have been a lot worse - Emma's 11-month-old baby was asleep in the next bedroom, along with the tot's 10-year-old sister.
Emma, of Isle Street, Whithorn, said: "If my baby had been in a cot in there, it could have been a lot, lot worse. She couldn't have jumped out of the way.
"What if we'd chosen to give her that room, instead of Vicky? It doesn't even bear thinking about." The collapse came just days after Emma spotted a leak on the bedroom ceiling thought to be from a pipe in the bathroom. She was told by housing association DGHP there would be a 14-day wait for someone to have a look at the damage, due to the volume of work they are currently undertaking.
Just five days later, the family narrowly avoided tragedy.
Having suffered a sore leg in the collapse, Vicky managed to scramble out from under the mess and shout for her mum - who had also been woken.
Emma said: "I came rushing through after I heard the noise thinking 'What the hell was that, is Vicky alright?' She was okay, but when I saw the state of the room I thought to myself she could have been badly hurt." The plasterboard snapped in two when it hit the bed and dust and debris was strewn across the room, along with water which ruined a new carpet. Vicky's laptop computer and furniture were damaged and the ceiling was exposed, showing cobwebs, upstairs floorboards and wiring.
Emma added: "I didn't realise the leak could possibly have been that bad and when DGHP said they'd send someone within two weeks, I assumed they thought it would be okay until then.
"But no one suggested this could happen - or that no one should sleep in the room. I contacted Councillor Alistair Geddes immediately and he was straight on the case, calling DGHP for me."
Vicky managed to make it to school despite the scare, having dug out what she needed for the day from the bomb site that her bedroom had become.
She will have to share a bedroom with her two younger sisters until her own room is declared safe again.
Emma confirmed yesterday DGHP had sent a team round to her house by 2.15pm on Tuesday - just eight hours after the collapse - to begin repairs.
She said: "I'm very satisfied with what's been done. I'm grateful to Councillor Alistair Geddes and Jayne Moore at DGHP for making sure things were sorted out urgently."
Jayne Moore, of DGHP, said: "Like all concerned, we're thankful no one was injured as a result of the collapse.
"We are, however, pleased to say that Emma is completely satisfied with our repairs to the damage to the bedroom and, once the plasterwork is dry, then we'll decorate the room. We are also discussing the damage to the carpet and other personal belongings."
emma.barlow@gallowaygazette.com