A bell-ringer had to be rescued by a crane after he plummeted nearly 20 feet from a London church tower.
The fire service was called to St Luke’s and Christ Church in Chelsea, west London just before its 10.30am service on Sunday.
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Fire crews smashed through a window to reach the injured man.
Sources familiar with the shocking incident told local outlet the Chelsea Citizen the man may have become tangled up in the rope.
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He was then suddenly hoisted up and suffered leg injuries.
He first received care from specialist medics in the 142-foot tower before being lowered down by crane.
A source told The Sun the man had to be craned down because the tower was “such a confined space”.
The London Fire Brigade said it was called to reports of a man “who had fallen around five to six metres in the church bell tower”.
Emergency services, including an air ambulance, were also in attendance at the scene.
The man was rushed to hospital and transferred to a major trauma centre specialising in life-changing injuries.
A person claiming to have knowledge of the incident said he was incapable of walking after landing “with an almighty crash”.
“It was a freak accident,” the source said. “I was told that one second he was pulling the bell rope and the next he was whipped up into the air attached to the rope.”
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The church said the “whole community” had been left in “deep shock”.
“The injured party was stabilised at the scene and subsequently transferred to hospital where he is currently being treated for his injuries,” the church added.
St Luke’s bell-ringers serve voluntarily at the church, which dates back to the early 19th century.
Its bells were cast 200 years ago.
The church organ was designed by John Compton in 1932, but most of its structure dates back to 1824.
The church is also known for being where author Charles Dickens married in 1836.
It has also hosted a number of charity fundraisers which have previously been attended by Prince William and Prince Harry.
The church is a Grade I-listed building, while its gardens are Grade-II listed.
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