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Oxford firemen rescue teenage bellringer stuck in belfry

The 17-year-old learner became entangled in ropes up the tower of St Helen's Church in Abingdon, Oxon - PA
The 17-year-old learner became entangled in ropes up the tower of St Helen's Church in Abingdon, Oxon - PA

 A teenage bellringer had to be rescued by fire services after being hoisted 40ft into the air in his local church.

The 17-year-old learner became entangled in ropes up the tower of St Helen's Church in Abingdon, Oxon, and was lowered to the floor by fire and rescue services.

Using a system of ropes, the team rescued him and an ambulance took him to hospital. Although the teenager sustained injuries to his ankle and shoulder, he was described yesterday by a bellringing colleague as "in good spirits and resting at home".

The incident took place during a practice session of the Abingdon Society of Bellringers, which accepts members as young as 10. Brian Read, the tower captain of St Helen's Church, said an inquiry will be held.

He told The Daily Telegraph that the event was "most upsetting", but expressed his gratitude to the emergency services for their prompt assistance. "It is a very rare occurrence but it can happen. Like any activity, it cannot be 100 per cent safe.

"There were people there at the time who knew what to do and it is very unfortunate that this young man suffered an injury," he said.

Paul Webster, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue station manager, described the incident as "unusual".

"Due to the steepness of the spiral staircase to the bellringing room, there was not the option to carry the casualty out of the church on a stretcher," he said. "All crews worked well together to achieve a successful outcome, as it required specialist knowledge, equipment and medical expertise."