Driver, 80, is cut free after plunge into ravine
AN ELDERLY man had to be rescued by fire crews after reversing his car down a ravine and getting stuck between two trees.
The 80-year-old was trapped inside the vehicle, and firefighters had to use a rope to reach him and cut off the roof to free him after the accident near Kentford Drive in Collyhurst.
He was then taken to safety by stretcher before being transported to hospital yesterday afternoon.
The pensioner managed to smash into three vehicles and through a fence before plummeting 10 metres into the ravine.
Two fire engines from Manchester Central along with the Technical Response Unit from Leigh were called to the scene at 1.23pm, and were joined by the North West Ambulance Service’s HART team.
After a dramatic rope rescue operation, firefighters were able to secure the car, remove the roof and rescue the trapped man.
Once stabilised, he was placed on a stretcher and lowered down the ravine to be assessed by waiting paramedics.
Station Manager Dave Baxter said: “We used battery cutting equipment, hydraulic cutting equipment, ropes, saws, ladders – at one point we looked on the fire engine and wondered if there was anything we hadn’t used.
“Luckily, the gentleman is in a stable condition and didn’t suffer any life threatening injuries but he was taken to hospital.”
Crews were on the scene for almost three hours making the area safe.