Drunken prank sparks rescue drama

Photo: GMFRS

Early-morning rescuers at the scene. Pictures by GMFRS

A FURIOUS fire chief has slammed the actions of a pair of drunken pranksters after a 30-strong rescue team spent three hours saving them from a sewer shaft in Oldham town centre.

The men, in their early 20s, were trapped almost 50ft below the surface of Union Street after deciding to clamber down the vast open pipe after a night out.

Firefighters from Hollins were called at 4.30 on Sunday morning to find the pair at the bottom of the shaft.

Oldham Mountain Rescue Team and the North-West Ambulance Service’s Hazardous Area Response Team also jojned the rescue.

Watch Commander Paul Anderson, of Hollins Fire Station, said: “These lads were extremely lucky they didn’t kill themselves.”

It is believed four men got into the worksite, near Oldham Library, which is part of Metrolink extension works.

One attempted to rope himself down a pressure hose, then jumped to the floor of the shaft. A friend followed him in and also couldn’t get out. The men, believed to be in their early 20s, from the Hathershaw and Holts area, were taken to the Royal Oldham Hospital for precautionary checks.


READ the full version of this story only in our print and eChron editions
Follow us on Twitter - @OldhamChronicle