A WORKMAN broke his right leg after falling down a four-metre deep hole on the Great Tew estate, near Chipping Norton at 9.21pm on Monday evening.

Firefighters had to use nearby construction machinery to set up a rope lifting system with a digger on the site.

A basket stretcher was attached to the digger's bucket and was lowered into the hole to rescue the injured man who had broken his tibia and fibula.

Two fire engines were called to the incident, along with a specialist rope rescues team from Kidlington Fire Station.

Fire service incident commander, group manager David Bray said: “This was an excellent example of partnership working with our colleagues in South Central Ambulance Service, although an unusual incident all crews worked really well together to achieve a successful outcome as the incident required both specialist rescue knowledge & equipment and medical expertise.

“Working together we quickly agreed a plan to utilise on-site excavation equipment and our rope rescue equipment to enable us to safely descend into the hole, assess the casualty and remove him in very short order.

“The incident was further complicated by the onset of darkness and the need to assess the air in the hole to make sure it remained breathable. Fire crews quickly illuminated the area with floodlights carried on the fire engines and took an air sampling unit with them to ensure that the atmosphere remained safe whilst carrying out the rescue.

“Our crews train regularly in a wide range of scenarios to prepare for these types of incidents, and this enabled them to quickly devise a plan to overcome the challenges faced at this incident.”