A 40-year-old cyclist had a lucky escape after falling from a canal lock at Pulteney Road in Bath.

Great Western Ambulance received a call at 9.30am this morning reporting that a man had fallen into the lock which pushing his bike nearby.

An ambulance and two rapid response vehicles arrived at the scene six minutes later and found the man still in the water.

Using a special scoop stretcher - used where people may have suffered traumatic injuries to their back or neck - they pulled him to safety.

Ambulance officer Andy Richardson said: "The current is really strong in that area so the crew's actions saved his life.

"This is obviously not the usual use for a scoop stretcher but the crew used their initiative utilising the equipment that was available to them to get the man out as quickly as possible.

"When they got him out he was understandably very wet and cold but appears otherwise unhurt."

The man was taken to the Royal United Hospital for further assessment.