Fire crew rescues bellringer

8:35am Thursday 15th May 2008

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FIREFIGHTERS rescued a bellringer in Charlbury after his leg got caught in a bell rope.

Academic Dr Tony Merry was taking part in the bell-ringing practice at St Mary's Church, in Church Street, when the accident happened at about 8.45pm last night.

Dr Merry suffered a broken collar bone after being pulled up off the belfry floor by the rope, and firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene.

Fire crews from Charlbury and Kidlington then placed Dr Merry on a stretcher and lowered him through a trap door to the church floor about 15ft below.

Incident commander Bob Swanton said: "I have been a firefighter for 25 years and it was one of the best jobs I have been to in terms of the rescue going to plan."