Elderly man pulled to safety after reversing down embankment in Manchester

The 80-year-old's car became lodged between two trees.

Rescue operation
Published 11th Aug 2017
Last updated 11th Aug 2017

Crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service have helped to rescue an elderly man after he reversed his car down a steep embankment in Manchester.

The car also crashed into several vehicles and through a fence before travelling down the embankment where it became lodged between two trees.

After a dramatic rope rescue operation, firefighters were able to secure the car, remove the roof and rescue the trapped man.

He was then placed on a stretcher and lowered down the ravine to be assessed by paramedics waiting at the top.

Station Manager Dave Baxter said: “We used battery cutting equipment, hydraulic cutting equipment, ropes, saws, ladders – at one point we looked on the fire engine and wondered if there was anything we hadn’t used.

“Luckily, the gentleman is in a stable condition and didn’t suffer any life threatening injuries but he was taken to hospital.”

It took three hours for crews to make the area safe.