Shropshire Star

Woman rescued by her family after she falls unconscious into Oswestry canal

A woman in her 50s was flown to hospital by air ambulance after falling 10 feet into a canal lock and knocking herself unconscious.

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She was rescued by her family from one of the Frankton Locks on the Shropshire Union Canal near Ellesmere at about 2pm yesterday.

The air ambulance landed in a nearby garden and the woman was flown to Royal Stoke University Hospital for treatment.

It is believed she had fallen from the side of the lock, been knocked unconscious, and had ended up in the water.

Ambulance service spokeswoman Jamie Arrowsmith said the woman had been rescued by her family from the water by the time crews arrived.

"It is believed she had fallen approximately 10 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."

Mr Arrowsmith praised the owner of a home next to the lock who allowed the air ambulance to land in his garden.

He said: "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."

The four Frankton Locks are only open to canal boats between noon and 2pm.

Richard Hodgson, 53, who was on a boat near to the lock said: "We came up this morning and when we got here the air ambulance was circling looking for somewhere to land. They landed in the house next to the lock and there was a boat in there for a long time."

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