How a bell ringing boy forgot to let go - and ended up in the belfry

A 14-year-old boy pulling down on a church bell rope held on too long and found himself catapulted into a loft cavity where he became trapped.

Fire and rescue crews were alerted by paramedics called to St John's Church in Loughton, Essex, on Tuesday evening and the youth was safely brought down.

A firefighter said: "The youth held on too long and ended up in the tower.

"On the way up he let go and fell onto a loft space platform and suffered thigh, ankle and wrist injuries."

The firefighter said: "The only way in and out of the tower was via a tight spiral staircase so we couldn't use the aerial ladder platform.

"We strapped the boy to a rescue stretcher - similar to those used in climbing incidents - and lowered him down slowly, step by step."