Rescue operation launched as man breaks leg falling into Smethwick canal
A man managed to drag himself out of a canal after sliding down a steep slope and into the water, breaking his leg in the process.
Paramedics were called to a stretch of the canal near Smethwick Rolfe Street Railway Station at around 9.45am today at the start of an hour-long rescue operation.
West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman John Hawker said the man, in his 30s, managed to drag himself on to a canal barge.
Firefighters used a 'floating' bridge to allow emergency services access to the victim.
He said: "Ambulance crews worked with the fire service to gain access to the patient who was on the boat on the other side of the canal, which was inaccessible.
"After gaining access to the barge, the patient received emergency treatment by medics including receiving pain relief and having a leg splint fitted. The boat was moved then back over to the accessible side of the canal with the patient on it.
"The man in his 30's, was then carried along the canal tow path and up to the awaiting ambulance nearby. In total the rescue operation took around an hour."
