Woman rescued after falling down well in Battle

Firefighters from both Battle and The Ridge Fire Stations went to the scene in Marley Lane at around 11.40am after receiving reports that the woman had fallen 25ft from the top.

Paramedics were also called to the scene.

Mark Wise, a firefighter based at Battle Fire Station, and who was in charge of the rope rescue operation, said the woman, in her 60s, was painting the side of a house and stood on a board covering the top of the well in order to gain better access.

He added: “This gave way and she fell to the bottom. She miraculously did not have any major injuries. It was nothing more serious than a suspected back injury.

“The people at the house put a ladder down for her as the woman was treading on water. When we arrived we got her in a safety harness.”

A spokesman for East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said: “Paramedics went down to assess the woman’s injuries out. We did not want the woman brought up fully out of the well using the rope until after they had done this.”

The casualty was rescued by 12.50pm.