Death fear of girl trapped in mud

Teenager Antonia Weaver today told of the moment she thought she was going to die after getting trapped up to her waist in thick mud at a Telford beauty spot.

Firefighters - led by her uncle Mark, a sub-officer at Tweedale fire station - battled for 45 minutes, digging with their hands to rescue the 16-year-old, before she was pulled clear by a Land Rover.

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Antonia was stuck fast, suffering from hypothermia and sinking second by second, when her screams for help were finally answered near the Hinkshay pools, off Hinkshay Road, Dawley, yesterday.

Sub-officer Weaver - on his 42nd birthday - held on to the frightened youngster while colleagues used their hands to dig her out and pull her to safety.

The ordeal began after Antonia, of Johnston Road, Dawley, went for a walk to Dawley Mount with her 17-year-old brother Kieron.

She said she collected some coloured rocks and headed off to the pools to wash them.

"I saw a wooden beam crossing a stretch of mud but the mud looked dry and safe so I walked over it," she said.

"I slipped and went ankle-deep into the mud."

She said the more she struggled, the deeper she sank. She said Kieron went for help, but the dog-walkers he met thought it was a prank.

Antonia said she began to panic and screamed for help and fortunately her cries were heard.

"I was really glad to see anyone, let alone Uncle Mark," she said.

"It was comforting having a member of the family there. I'm just glad to be alive because at one point I was so cold my eyes started drooping and I thought I was going to die."

Sub-officer Weaver said: "I only realised it was Antonia when I went up to her and the lads knew it was my niece as well.

"I initially supported her so that she didn't sink any lower and then colleagues dug down to free her.

"I was just worried about her and after we had managed to pull her clear I phoned her dad Darren, my brother."

Antonia has an eight-year-old brother, Joshua, and a step-sister, Toni-Anne, 18.

Picture: Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.

By Simon Hardy

Antonia Weaver covered in mud after she was rescued by firefighters. Picture: Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The mud, where the Antonia was trapped for more than 45 minutes. Picture: Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The pools at Hinkshay Road, Dawley.

Firefighters battled for 45 minutes to rescue Antonia.

Picture: Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Antonia was pulled clear by a fire service Land Rover, cold and suffering from shock. Picture: Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Safely home - Antonia shows her soaked jeans.

Antonia with her father Darren.