Pensioner, 76, winched to safety after becoming entombed in 6ft garden well

A 76-year-old pensioner had to be rescued after he fell through a garden patio and became trapped 6ft 7in down a well.

The man, who has not been named, fell through the patio slabs after water eroded ground underneath the back garden of a home in Bordon, Hampshire, on Tuesday and became wedged underground.

He was at risk of sliding a further 40ft down the well before he was rescued with a specially made hoist by firefighters, emergency services said.

A Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: ‘Over time, water had caused part of the well to erode, creating a void underneath a garden patio in the back garden of a property.

‘The 76-year-old casualty fell through the patio, dropping two metres onto a slope, suffering minor cuts and bruises.

A 76-year-old pensioner (pictured) had to be rescued after he fell through a garden patio and became trapped 6ft 7in down a well

The man, who has not been named, fell through the patio slabs in the back garden of a home in Bordon, Hampshire, on Tuesday and became wedged underground

‘He was fortunate not to slide down the slope where he could have dropped approximately 12 metres further into the well.

‘Crews were mobilised to the address at 6pm, along with specialist technical rescue teams from Eastleigh.’

Rope specialist firefighters, specialist paramedics and Urban Search and Rescue officers helped free him.

Station Manager Si Forster said: ‘Working closely with our emergency services partners in SCAS [South Central Ambulance Service] we were able to swiftly formulate a plan to reach and rescue the casualty, preventing him from suffering any further harm.

‘I want to praise our crews who all played a key role in ensuring a positive outcome to this incident with a quick and efficient response.

‘Our dedicated rope teams train everyday for incidents like this, and the skill and professionalism they displayed today was phenomenal.’

He was at risk of sliding a further 40ft down the well before he was rescued with a specially-made hoist by firefighters, emergency services said

Rope specialist firefighters, specialist paramedics and Urban Search and Rescue officers helped free him