A prison officer had to be rescued by fire crews after falling at a jail near Wolverhampton.

The man plunged about five metres after losing his footing on a ladder while climbing down from a roof space in the boiler room at Brinsford Young Offenders Institution in Featherstone.

He ended up trapped by piping and could not move.

Fire crews had to cut the man free before he could be airlifted to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham at around 2.30pm yesterday for treatment. His injuries were not life threatening.

South Staffordshire assistant area fire commander Paul Richins said: “We believe the prison officer was showing some contractors to the loft in the boiler room and on the way down, he unfortunately fell and ended up trapped between some piping.

“The man was conscious through, however, due to his injuries he was unable to release himself.”