Teenage bellringer hoisted 40ft into the belfry after becoming tangled in the ropes
The trainee, 17, had to be rescued by fireman after getting launched into the mechanism and getting trapped
A TEENAGE bellringer was yanked 40ft into the belfy by ropes he got tangled in — and had to be rescued by firemen.
Fellow ringers watched aghast as the lad, 17, soared into the mechanism and got trapped.
They rushed up the spiral staircase and phoned for an ambulance after finding him with ankle and shoulder injuries.
Paramedics were unable to stretcher him down because the steps were too narrow — so called for a fire crew.
A brigade spokesman said: ”The casualty needed to be lowered over 40ft to the floor using a rope rescue system.”
The unnamed teen had been practising ringing one of the ten bells at 1,000-year-old St Helen's Church, in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. He was taken to hospital.
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Brian Read, the Tower Captain, said: “It is a very rare occurrence but can happen.
“Like any activity it cannot be 100 per cent safe.”