Friday 27 November 2009
00.35 Napier Road, Eastville, Bristol
Two men in their late teens, early twenties needed rescuing
after they became trapped in fast flowing storm water. It
appears one of the men fell into the water and when the other man
went to his friend’s help, he also became trapped.
Crews from Temple and Bedminster fire stations, including the
Swift Water Rescue Team, were mobilised to the scene – a section of
water where the river enters a storm drain. With fast flowing
water up to their waists the men were heading towards the
drain.
On arriving at the scene, firefighters immediately threw lines
to the men, attaching these securely to the bridge above.
Ladders were lowered into the water so that the Swift Water Rescue
Team could climb down in a bid to reach the two men. The
team, who are specially trained to deal with fast flowing and
hazardous water conditions, made their way through the water to
reach the two men, attaching rescue lines around them. They
then had to help the men to the ladders in order to assist them to
safety.
As a result of their ordeal, one of the men lost consciousness,
with suspected hypothermia. Both men were taken to hospital
by paramedics.