A teenage bellringer had to be rescued by firemen after being hoisted 40ft into the belfry when he became entangled in his rope.
The 17-year-old injured his ankle and shoulder when the practice session went wrong and was lifted almost four storeys up among the mechanics of the bell tower.
He became entwined in the knot of ropes high above the floor which was attached to one of the ten bells at the church which has a 1000-year long history.
A teenage bellringer had to be rescued by firemen after being hoisted 40ft into the belfry when he became entangled in his rope
Firefighters used a rope system because the church’s spiral staircase was too steep for a stretcher needed to lower the teenager down
Fire fighters and paramedics were called to St Helen’s Church, in Abingdon, Oxfordshire to rescue to youngster as experienced bell ringers looked on in horror at 7pm on Friday evening.
The learner was with experienced bell ringers for a practice session who immediately called the emergency services.
Brian Read, the Tower Captain of St Helen’s Church, said an enquiry will be held among the senior figures at the church to minimise another similar incident happening.
Mr Read said: ‘It is a very rare occurrence but it can happen. Like any activity it cannot be 100 per cent safe.
‘There were people there at the time who knew what to do and it if very unfortunate that this young man suffered an injury.’
A small amount of damage caused to the mechanics in the belfry that was repaired on Saturday so the bells will be able to ring this weekend.
Fire fighters and paramedics were called to St Helen’s Church (pictured), in Abingdon, Oxfordshire to rescue to youngster
A spokesman for Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘A 17year old male had suffered a number of injuries caused by becoming tangled within the bell ringing ropes. The casualty needed to be lowered over 40 foot to the floor of the church using a rope rescue system.’
The Fire and Rescue Service Incident Commander, Station Manager Paul Webster said: ‘Due to the steepness of the spiral staircase to the bell ringing room, there was not the option to carry the casualty out of the church on a stretcher.
‘Once the casualty was lowered to the floor he was transported to hospital by South Central Ambulance Service.
He added: ‘This was an excellent example of partnership working with our colleagues in South Central Ambulance Service, this is an unusual incident for the Fire and Rescue Service but another scenario we have to train for, all crews worked well together to achieve a successful outcome as the incident required both specialist rescue knowledge and equipment and medical expertise.’
The teenager was on Saturday recovering at home with an ankle and shoulder injury.