Thursday 21st May 2015 – 4.30pm – Jamie Arrowsmith.
A woman has been rescued from an Oswestry canal by her family after falling from a lock and subsequently airlifted to one of the region’s major trauma centres.
The incident happened at Frankton Locks on the Shropshire Union Canal shortly after 2pm and West Midlands Ambulance Service sent an ambulance, a paramedic area support officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford to the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, crews discovered a woman, believed to be in her 50s, who was at the canal-side after being rescued from the water by her family. It is believed she had fallen approximately ten feet from the side of the lock and knocked herself unconscious before rolling into the water.
“She had regained consciousness by the time crews arrived and was carefully moved away from the edge of the canal with the use of a scoop stretcher in order for a thorough and safe assessment to take place.
“She was then treated for a fractured right wrist, cuts to her head and abdominal pain. Pain relief was given and she was immobilised with the use of a scoop stretcher and wrist splint before being airlifted to Royal Stoke University Hospital.
“The rescue of the patient was made easier by the generosity of a home-owner who allowed the air ambulance to land in his garden, alongside where crews were treating the woman.”
Ends