UK - Man trapped upside-down on top of 290 foot tall chimney, Carlisle, 28 Oct 2019

[Legally Bland]

A rescue operation is under way to free a man who has become trapped at the top of a 290ft tall former mill chimney.

Emergency services were called to Dixons Chimney in Carlisle at about 02:20 GMT and a helicopter is hovering near the top of the structure.

Footage from the scene appears to show a figure, upside down with his legs in the air, at the top of the chimney.

Firefighters have appealed for "anyone who has a cherry picker in excess of 90 metres within Cumbria" to contact them.

A Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "This is a very complex and difficult process given the obvious dangers to the man and the extreme difficulty in gaining access to him in a way which will keep him and emergency services safe.

Man stuck at top of 290ft chimney

 

[Legally Bland]

John McVay, Cumbria Fire and Rescue area manager said: “This is a very complex and difficult process given the obvious dangers to the man and the extreme difficulty in gaining access to him in a way which will keep him and emergency services safe.

“I can assure the public that the emergency services are working tirelessly and effectively together to resolve this issues safely for all and that the protection of life is our first priority.

“I ask people impacted by the incident and the road closures to continue to show patience.”

“I’d also like to ask anyone who has a cherry picker in excess of 90 metres within Cumbria to please contact Cumbria police or Cumbria Fire and rescue service on 999.”

Dixon's Chimney incident Carlisle: Cherry picker sought by local business to help with rescue

 

[Mrs Marple]

Cherry picker in excess of 90 metres???

Today is turning into a very weird day

 

[Mrs Marple]

Cumbria Police trying to rescue man dangling from 290ft Dixon's Chimney

Theres a slightly better picture here. He's a egit but l hope he doesn't fall. Have you posted in bizarre news LB?

 

[Legally Bland]

Cumbria Police trying to rescue man dangling from 290ft Dixon's Chimney

Theres a slightly better picture here. He's a egit but l hope he doesn't fall. Have you posted in bizarre news LB?

I've posted the thread in the bizarre news forum, if there's a bizarre news thread then I haven't.

Just looking at the pictures is giving me vertigo.

 

[Mrs Marple]

I wonder if he's still conscious he's been up there hours

Haha l see it is in that thread, l just followed it from the UK thread, sorry about that!

 

[Legally Bland]

BBC Cumbria
@BBC_Cumbria
·
5m

Cumbria Police: Industrial scale 90-metre cherry picker on way to Carlisle to help reach the man who's been trapped at the top of Dixon's Chimney since the early hours, in hope of bringing "challenging rescue to a safe conclusion for all"

 

[Legally Bland]

Cumbria Police
@Cumbriapolice
·
31m

Emergency services have been working to safely resolve situation at Dixons chimney, inc use of helicopter. However, rescue has not been possible due to the precarious position man is in and the potential for backdraft to worsen situation. Efforts on-going to reach man from below

 

[Legally Bland]

ITV News Border
@ITVborder
·
21s

"This is probably one of the most difficult rescue missions I've ever encountered." The man trapped at the top of a 290ft chimney in Carlisle has stopped responding to the emergency services, but police say it's still being treated as a rescue mission.

 

[Mrs Marple]

ITV News Border
@ITVborder
·
21s

"This is probably one of the most difficult rescue missions I've ever encountered." The man trapped at the top of a 290ft chimney in Carlisle has stopped responding to the emergency services, but police say it's still being treated as a rescue mission.

Oh no l hope he's just passed out

 

[Mrs Marple]

Was he drunk l wonder, why would you go up there half dressed

Jeez it's been quite cold overnight too and he's had nothing to drink

 

[Mind your biscuits]

Omg, I'd die from fright!

 

[scandinavian girl]

That pic makes me wonder do they know if he is alive or not.

 

[Mrs Marple]

Mr Marple said, maybe he's sleeping it off

 

[Legally Bland]

Cherry picker has arrived.


Cumbria Police
@Cumbriapolice
·
6m

Specialist assistance has been brought in to assist the on-going efforts at Dixons chimney in Carlisle

 

[Mrs Marple]

Thank his lucky sun, moon AND stars!

Edit it doesn't appear to be long enough

 

[Legally Bland]

Thank his lucky sun, moon AND stars!

Edit it doesn't appear to be long enough

In this video it says they're going to bolt some ladders onto the top of the chimney.

CFM Radio News on Twitter

 

[Legally Bland]

Cumbria Police
@Cumbriapolice
·
30s

Dixons chimney in Carlisle - a ladder has been attached to the chimney to allow rescuers onto the chimney to attempt to rescue the man.

 

[Mrs Marple]

Naim Asghar on Twitter

If you look you can see the top of the ladder is bent

 

[Mrs Marple]

I have to ask..
Who owns this chimney and how on earth was he ever able to get up there in the first place