Firefighters rescue a man who plummeted down a well

The 61-year-old man was hoisted to safety and rushed to Southampton General Hospital for treatment for a shoulder injury after falling down a well in Linford Green.

At least 12 firefighters from Ringwood, Ferndown and Redbridge in Southampton were called to Linford after the man fell into water below.

They discovered he was unable to swim and immediately lowered a life jacket to keep him afloat and avoid a risk of drowning.

Crews set up a rope and lowered a firefighter down into the hole which measured 2.5m in diameter.

A member of the Hampshire Urban Search and Rescue was on hand to provide advice to colleagues.

The injured man was eventually put into a harness and slowly lifted to safety.

He was treated at the scene by paramedics from South Central Ambulance Service before being taken to hospital by ambulance.

A spokesman for the South Central Ambulance Service said: “A male believed to be in his 60s was treated at the scene.

“He was conveyed to Southampton General Hospital with a suspected shoulder injury.”

It is not known what the man was doing in the moment before he fell into the well, or how deep the water below is.

Greg Garrett, the brigade’s station manager in charge of the incident, said: “This was an unusual incident where the quick and effective partnership working between firefighters and the ambulance service aided the successful rescue of the man.

“We are extremely pleased that, after falling such a long way down the well, the man has now been released from hospital and is recovering well at home.”

Two firefighters were struck down with illness just hours after finishing their shift.

The pair were reportedly suffering symptoms including diarrhoea, vomiting and high temperatures.

It is unknown whether their condition is linked to anything they inhaled or touched while at the well.