A pensioner from Telford today accused a public utility of negligence after he fell 6ft down an uncovered gas main hole.

Paddy O’Connell, 69, who has recently been diagnosed with skin cancer, claims the accident happened because there were no warning signs, proper fencing or lighting around the hole.

National Grid bosses said they had immediately sent workmen out to put back the barriers, which had been kicked in by vandals, and would be speaking to Mr O’Connell about the incident.

Mr O’Connell, of Sandiford Crescent, Newport, fell down the hole on Tuesday night, while walking along St Matthew’s Road in Donnington on his way to his daughter Sarah’s house.

He said: “I thought my number was up when I fell down that hole – I was in so much pain, but there really was nothing there to tell me to watch out for it.”

Mr O’Connell was pulled to safety by a passing woman who called emergency services.

Ambulance paramedics treated him at the scene then took him to Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital.

The hole had been dug as part of repair work by Gas Alliance, part of international electricity and gas company National Grid.

Jane Taylor, National Grid spokeswoman, said a worker had gone out within minutes of the accident to replace the barriers.

“Our workers are always instructed to make sure when they leave the site that signs and barriers are up around every gas point,” she said. “We are going to try to get in touch with Mr O’Connell to discuss the matter.”