Emergency services rescued a farmer who fell into a 60ft sinkhole around midday yesterday (Thursday, March 4th).
The farmer was riding his quad bike across a field at Bowesfield Farm in Stank when the incident occurred.
The man was airlifted to hospital, where he is being treated for chest injuries.
In a statement, following the two-and-a-half-hour rescue operation, a spokesperson for Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, said:
“Crews from Barrow & Ulverston attended an incident where an individual had fallen 60ft into a sinkhole whilst riding a quad bike.”
“Alongside our colleagues from Mountain Rescue, we brought the individual to safety using line rescue equipment. Excellent multi-agency teamwork.” the spokesperson added.
‘Swallowed up’ into sinkhole
Ian Westall of Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service told the BBC that the ground fell away with the weight of the bike on that particular spot. The farmer was “swallowed up” into the sinkhole.
“We peered down and could see the farmer sat up. We could just make out the outline of his bike under a mound of earth. I’m sure he was in deep shock.”
The opening was about 8ft (2m) wide at the top. Below that opened up “like a wine carafe”, which posed an additional risk to rescuers, he told the publication.
“You’ve got a lip at the top which went down into a narrow throat. Then there was a large bulbous bottom which opened up 10m (33ft) in one direction and 4m (13ft) in the other.”
“We had to make sure the rescuers weren’t going to be involved in any further movement or collapse of the ground. We widened the cordon area and had only those directly involved in the rescue at the scene.”
Crews from Barrow & Ulverston attended an incident where an individual had fallen 60ft into a sinkhole whilst riding a quad bike.
Alongside our colleagues from Mountain Rescue, we brought the individual to safety using line rescue equipment. Excellent multi-agency teamwork.👏🚒 pic.twitter.com/t2QNiLS6t2
— Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service (@CumbriaFire) March 4, 2021
