Man dies after being spotted dangling from 290ft chimney
AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a man in his 50s died after he became stuck at the top of one of the country’s tallest chimneys.
Police and emergency services spent more than 14 hours trying to rescue the man, who could be seen dangling upside down from the top of the 290fthigh Dixon’s Chimney in Carlisle, Cumbria.
Several attempts to get to the man, who was shirtless, and appeared to have his foot wedged between the brick chimney and an external ladder, had to be abandoned as onlookers gathered at the scene.
A Coastguard helicopter was scrambled but later called off amid fears that the downdraft from the rotor blades could cause the man to fall. Rescuers also rejected plans to scale the outer ladder amid concern that any movement could lead to a tragic fall.
Eventually a 300ft cherry picker was brought in from Glasgow, but by the time a specialist team reached the man, he was already dead.
It is not clear why the man had climbed the chimney, but locals claimed he had been there from the early hours of yesterday morning and had initially been shouting. At one point people were reported to have brought folding chairs to the scene as the watched the rescue operation.
Police say they believe they know his identity and welfare officers are currently with his family.
A spokesman from Cumbria Police said: “All this was done with the aim of bringing the man down safely and while maintaining the safety of emergency services staff.
“The man was recovered after a cherry picker was used to transport specialist technicians and specialist firefighters trained to work at height to the top of the chimney to lower him down.
“The thoughts of all the emergency services and partners are with the family and friends of the man.
“Specialist welfare police officers are supporting his family at this difficult time. An investigation will commence into the circumstances of how and why the man was on the chimney and the Constabulary will be informing Her Majesty’s Coroner.”