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• Dr. Krisztina Ilko, 33, a junior research fellow and director of studies at the University of Cambridge Queens' College in England, lives in a medieval tower, the Independent reported.
But Ilko became trapped in her bathroom for seven hours after the wooden door locked behind her and wouldn't budge.
She couldn't signal or yell for help because the tower walls are thick, and there are no windows in the bathroom.
However, she kept her cool and McGyvered the door open using an eyeliner (to push down the door's latch) and a cotton swab (to pull the locking mechanism away from the door frame).
"When ... the door opened, it was exhilarating because I didn't think it would work," Ilko said.
Since the incident, she's had the lock removed.