Couple rescued after plunging 20 feet down Bath riverbank
A couple have been rescued after slipping 20 feet down an embankment along the River Avon in Bath.
The pair, a man and a woman believed to be 18 to 20 years old, were rescued by fire crews from Bath using ladders and ropes after the alarm was raised by residents.
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Avon Fire and Rescue boat
The emergency services were called just before midnight last night after people had reported the a couple trapped on the embankment behind Walcot Street and in danger of slipping into the river.
A spokesman for Avon Fire and Rescue said: "This couple had been able to get access to this part of the river and had slipped down 20 feet of vertical bank."
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The rescue crews found the pair on a small ledge with the man virtually in the river, with only the thickness of undergrowth halting their slide.
The alarm was raised by people living on the opposite side of the Avon.
The spokesman added: "Our crews rescued them by using ladders laid down the river bank and crews with safety equipment for vertical rescue."
As well as fire crews from Bath, a safety river boat was also launched from Bathampton, but was not used, while police, the South Western Ambulance Service and the service's Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) also attended the scene.
Spokesman for South Western Ambulance Service, John Oliver, said the couple were treated for mild hypothermia.
The man suffered a broken ankle and the couple were taken to the Royal United Hospital in Bath for treatment.
11 Comments
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by Imp-Act
Monday, February 04 2013, 7:40PM
“I think there really funny! The comments that is! As for those poor a couple of man and women i do think it is a very sadly that they were gay or not drunk or sober lost or just wandering and that who slip he first or her is not the point! Why was he she they a couple there in the first or third place is not a matter of why or is and who the **** cares? The ONLY good thing is that some one had to rescue them and they DID! WELL DONE TO THEM! init!”
by CyrilCringe
Monday, February 04 2013, 6:46PM
“There are some places one shouldn't need to go and even more so in the dark. Common sense doesn't need a fence, a lack of common sense does. And I wonder if the guy in question really wants his sexuality outed in a comments page where it has little or no bearing? The river bank is not a place to venture along in the dark whatever the intention.”
by MJH1994
Monday, February 04 2013, 12:27PM
“Thats why you shouldnt believe everything you read”
by rottidog
Sunday, February 03 2013, 11:40PM
“Teaboy strikes again.......""....people had reported the a couple...""
It would seem from the statement "This couple had been able to get access to this part of the river..." that they were not on the normal footpath and had strayed off the beaten track - not that anyone should be that close to the river in the dark anyway. As for the council needing to put a fence up - where do you draw the line with that? And if you put fences up there are still people who will climb over it so why waste the money? Common sense should be enough to keep most people at a respectable and respectful distance from such a dangerous river.”
by MJH1994
Sunday, February 03 2013, 9:40PM
“So they werent drunk...they were FRIENDS! you know a gay guy and straight girl.So stop with the accusations.They slipped and it was a pretty traumatic event.The council need to look into putting a fence up to stop accidents like this happening again.”
by jonquil
Sunday, February 03 2013, 8:09PM
“The rescue services make no distinction whom they rescue, thankfully. Grateful thanks to them for that and for whatever reason the young couple were there, thank goodness they are now safe. They are someones son and daughter.”
by Mr_Nemo
Sunday, February 03 2013, 6:58PM
“"a women..."
More from PW's tea boy?”
by chrissychrome
Sunday, February 03 2013, 6:45PM
“@clarysage50 You would have left them there - really?! What a good Samaritan you are!
You might be correct in presuming they had been drinking or were up to no good.......then again maybe you are not! I just hope you are never in need and somebody makes an assumption that it was 'your fault,' and leaves you without help.”
by clarysage50
Sunday, February 03 2013, 1:11PM
“Sorry, but I would have left them there.........hopefully they will have been charged by the rescue services for time wasted.”
by 26sean
Sunday, February 03 2013, 1:08PM
“Somebody enlighten me please........ where exactly is Allcott Street?"
Paul wiltshires tea boy must have been up to his old tricks again it's sorted now”