Rescued from 100ft up, the bell-ringer who caught foot on ropes
WORSHIPPERS at Worcester Cathedral could be forgiven for getting a little distracted during this particular evensong.
While the service’s prayers and music proceeded as normal, one unlucky bell-ringer was hoisted into the air when a rope caught on his foot – and he had to be winched to safety by firemen.
Ian Bowman, 51, was visiting the historic tower as part of a touring group from Devon when a moving rope in the bell-ringing chamber upstairs lifted him up and then dropped him to the floor, injuring his head and back.
Unable to make his way down the bell tower’s narrow spiral staircase, he was trapped 100ft from ground level – until a fire crew arrived.
As their stretcher was too wide for the staircase, Mr Bowman had to be winched down on a stretcher through the hatches of the tower back to the ground floor – which took half an hour
‘Lowered to the ground through hatches’
during Saturday’s evensong. He was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital where he was treated for a cut to his head and back pain.
Fire service spokesman Grant Wills said: ‘Mr Bowman was in the top part of the tower when some rope hoisted him up and then he was brought back down. He fell about 8-10ft, but the tight spiral staircase meant it was difficult to mobilise someone with his injuries. Our rescue team of 15 people lowered him 100ft through the hatches to the ground floor.’
He added: ‘This was a challenging rescue for our crews, but one we regularly practise for, including at the cathedral itself.’
The cathedral’s ringing master Mark Regan said Mr Bowman, an experienced ringer, was recovering after the freak accident.
Speaking from his home in Wide-combe-in-the-Moor, Devon, Mr Bowman said: ‘I am waiting for a call to see if I have fractured my spine or not.’