Builder falls down well in Forest of Dean (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Builder falls down well in Hartpury, Forest of Dean

3:36pm Wednesday 24th October 2012 in News By Ian Craig

A BUILDER had a lucky escape this morning after he fell down a 20ft well in Hartpury.

The man fell down the well, which had been covered by a board, while working in the grounds of the house in the Forest of Dean.

He was able to call the fire service and two crews from Gloucester used a ladder to rescue him.

Although he was able to climb out himself he was taken to hospital as a precaution. Incident commander Jon French said the man was lucky to have had his mobile phone with him so he was able to call for help.

“He was conscious and talking when we arrived and the rescue itself was fairly straightforward,” he said.

“This is the first time that I have attended an incident of this kind but we have very clear procedures about rescuing people who are trapped below ground.”

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service’s Lydney-based rope rescue team, an advisor from the Gloucestershire Cave Rescue Group and the Hazard Area Response Team were called from Bristol but were not needed.

Gloucestershire County Council cabinet member for communities Cllr Will Windsor-Clive said: “All of our crews are highly trained in all aspects of rescue but I’m sure that this is one of the more unusual ones that they have attended.”