Pensioner rescued after falling in a 'hidden' hole in his garden
- Replies 0
Caring for your garden is a true pleasure for many of us. However, there are times when our love for gardening can unexpectedly lead to dangerous situations.
That is what happened to a 76-year-old pensioner in Hampshire, who suddenly found himself facing an unimaginable ordeal while tending to his cherished plants. As he went about his gardening routine, he was suddenly swallowed up by the very ground he stood on!
The elderly gentleman, whose identity remains undisclosed, fell into a two-metre-deep garden well that was concealed beneath a seemingly harmless patio. The shock and fear he must have experienced is beyond words.
To make matters worse, emergency services reveal that the man narrowly escaped tumbling an additional 12 metres down the well. A tragedy was averted by a mere stroke of luck on what should have been an uneventful day in the garden.
So, what happened? According to Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, '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.'
This erosion led to a cavernous opening just awaiting its victim. The 76-year-old fell through and ended up landing two metres onto a slope, suffering only minor cuts and bruises. Though these injuries are minor, danger had not been averted; there was still the risk of slipping further down into the well.
It was a taxing operation that required multiple teams to mobilise, including rope specialist firefighters, specialist paramedics, and Urban Search and Rescue officers. However, their stellar combined efforts made all the difference in ensuring the pensioner's safety.
Station Manager Si Forster reported, '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.'
He also commended the responders involved in the rescue, stating, '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 daily for incidents like this, and the skill and professionalism they displayed today were phenomenal.'
This incredible story reminds us that we must always be cautious, even in the most familiar and seemingly safe environments. Over the years, natural occurrences can lead to dangerous conditions that can catch us off guard.
Following this story, we want to share a few general safety tips for those who love gardening.
Firstly, it's vital to frequently inspect our homes, including our front and backyards, checking for potential hazards like eroded ground, trip hazards, or weakened structures like patios or decks. Regularly carrying out maintenance tasks—like inspecting gutters and walkways and examining the stability of your garden—can prevent potential disasters.
Investing in gardening tools or equipment, targeting safety and ease of use, is another fantastic idea. Products like lightweight gardening tools, ergonomic grips, and support cushions can minimise the risk of injury and make the gardening experience safer and more enjoyable.
Choosing native plants that generally require less maintenance can also be a great idea for those who want to enjoy their gardens without too much hard work and risk.
Thankfully, the pensioner is safely and soundly back on solid ground, continuing to enjoy his garden and, no doubt, keeping an extra keen eye on the happenings within his cherished garden. To all our fellow gardening enthusiasts, we want to remind you to prioritise safety and remain vigilant while tending to your beautiful gardens.
We'd love to hear from you too! If you have any captivating stories or experiences related to gardening, please feel free to share them in the comments section below. Your stories are more than welcome!
That is what happened to a 76-year-old pensioner in Hampshire, who suddenly found himself facing an unimaginable ordeal while tending to his cherished plants. As he went about his gardening routine, he was suddenly swallowed up by the very ground he stood on!
The elderly gentleman, whose identity remains undisclosed, fell into a two-metre-deep garden well that was concealed beneath a seemingly harmless patio. The shock and fear he must have experienced is beyond words.
To make matters worse, emergency services reveal that the man narrowly escaped tumbling an additional 12 metres down the well. A tragedy was averted by a mere stroke of luck on what should have been an uneventful day in the garden.
A 76-year-old retiree accidentally fell through a garden patio and ended up trapped in a well. Credit: Unsplash/Laney Smith.
So, what happened? According to Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, '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.'
This erosion led to a cavernous opening just awaiting its victim. The 76-year-old fell through and ended up landing two metres onto a slope, suffering only minor cuts and bruises. Though these injuries are minor, danger had not been averted; there was still the risk of slipping further down into the well.
It was a taxing operation that required multiple teams to mobilise, including rope specialist firefighters, specialist paramedics, and Urban Search and Rescue officers. However, their stellar combined efforts made all the difference in ensuring the pensioner's safety.
Station Manager Si Forster reported, '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.'
He also commended the responders involved in the rescue, stating, '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 daily for incidents like this, and the skill and professionalism they displayed today were phenomenal.'
This incredible story reminds us that we must always be cautious, even in the most familiar and seemingly safe environments. Over the years, natural occurrences can lead to dangerous conditions that can catch us off guard.
Following this story, we want to share a few general safety tips for those who love gardening.
Firstly, it's vital to frequently inspect our homes, including our front and backyards, checking for potential hazards like eroded ground, trip hazards, or weakened structures like patios or decks. Regularly carrying out maintenance tasks—like inspecting gutters and walkways and examining the stability of your garden—can prevent potential disasters.
Investing in gardening tools or equipment, targeting safety and ease of use, is another fantastic idea. Products like lightweight gardening tools, ergonomic grips, and support cushions can minimise the risk of injury and make the gardening experience safer and more enjoyable.
Choosing native plants that generally require less maintenance can also be a great idea for those who want to enjoy their gardens without too much hard work and risk.
Thankfully, the pensioner is safely and soundly back on solid ground, continuing to enjoy his garden and, no doubt, keeping an extra keen eye on the happenings within his cherished garden. To all our fellow gardening enthusiasts, we want to remind you to prioritise safety and remain vigilant while tending to your beautiful gardens.
We'd love to hear from you too! If you have any captivating stories or experiences related to gardening, please feel free to share them in the comments section below. Your stories are more than welcome!
