Pensioners rescued after car plunges into ornamental pond outside hospital

Two elderly women had to be rescued by fire crews after the car they were driving plunged head first into a 6ft deep hospital pond. At around 12.20pm emergency crews were called to the scene at the BMI Bury Hospital in Bury St Edmunds where a light blue Toyota Corolla had driven across a rockery and got stuck in the water.



A fire engine, two Water Incident Vehicles, paramedics and police attended the scene after the hospital’s receptionists heard the loud bang and called emergency services. Fire crews used hydraulic gear to release the two casualties, thought to be in their 70s.

The two women, one who had an appointment at the hospital, were taken to West Suffolk Hospital for treatment but are believed to be unhurt. The hospital’s Executive Director, Peter Lord, said at the scene: “The incident involved two elderly ladies, one of them had an outpatients appointment. It is a really unusual and unfortunate accident, we are just delighted nobody was seriously hurt.



“When we saw it happen our reception called emergency services and our excellent nurses came out to give assistance. Fortunately it has been a happy outcome. The pond has been here since the hospital opened and nothing has every happened before. I cannot praise our team or the medical and emergency services more. It is quite an unusual event but fortunately, a happy ending. Now we’ve just got to get the car out.”