Helicopter rescues man who fell ill in bell tower

The Coastguard was called to rescue a man who became unwell at the top of the bell tower of Worcester Cathedral.

The Coastguard helicopter based at St Athan in South Wales hovered over the cathedral on Saturday morning after a 53-year-old man fell ill during filming with a historical re-enactment group.

Fire crews called in air support due to the location of the casualty who was flown to an ambulance waiting in a nearby field. Sam Wellsteed, the helicopter winchman, said: “Our main concern was making sure the cathedral wasn’t affected by the downdraft of the helicopter, which can sometimes be very strong.”