A girl was seriously hurt after an ‘accidental’ fall from height in Chippenham.
The serious incident under the bridge in Gladstone Road sparked a major emergency response shortly after 7pm on Friday evening (20 March).
A female, understood to be a teenager, fell down an embankment – coming to rest several metres below in a difficult-to-access spot next to the River Avon.
Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance was scrambled alongside at least three ambulance crews and a specialist Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) from Bristol.
Approximately 12 fire appliances from Wiltshire, supported by Avon Fire and Rescue Service, were also in attendance – including two aerial ladder platforms.
The casualty was stabilised before being loaded into a basket stretcher and lifted up from the embankment and into an ambulance for further care.
She’s believed to have sustained serious but not life-threatening or life-changing injuries. However her condition has not been confirmed by authorities.
Wiltshire 999s understands that the fall was accidental, rather than mental health-related. It’s not clear whether the female fell from the wall or bridge.
A spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were called at 7:21pm yesterday, 20 March, with reports of person falling from height.
“Three crews were mobilised, from Swindon, Bradford on Avon and Trowbridge.
“On arrival crews found one female who had fallen down an embankment onto a concrete area.”
They continued: “A technical rescue team was requested from Avon FRS to assist with the extrication of the casualty using technical rescue equipment and worked with other agencies to bring the casualty to safety.”
The incident had been resolved by around 8.30pm, with police officers removing cordons in Lovers Walk and reopening Gladstone Road to traffic.
Wiltshire Police confirmed that the emergency response was led by the fire and ambulance service – only assisting with scene management.
A spokesperson added: “We were called by the ambulance service to an incident in Gladstone Road, Chippenham, at 7.15pm yesterday evening (20/3).
“Officers assisted with the closure of footpaths within the vicinity and Gladstone Road whilst a rescue operation was conducted. The road reopened just after 8.30pm.”
