A FIREFIGHTER has been taken to hospital after being injured rescuing a teenager from a 40ft high bridge over the busy A11 main road in East London this morning. Police closed off the Mile End Road when the teenager was spotted hanging from the parapet of the Green Bridge at Mile End
A FIREFIGHTER has been taken to hospital after being injured rescuing a teenager from a 40ft high bridge over the busy A11 main road in East London this morning.
Police closed off the Mile End Road when the teenager was spotted hanging from the parapet of the Green Bridge at Mile End, threatening to jump.
They feared he was unable to hold on and looked like he was beginning to slip when he was pulled clear.
Firefighter Michael Hailey managed to hoist the 18-year-old up by his belt after the youth nearly passed out.
LIFE SAVER
But the rescue injured his back and he was later being treated at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel.
“It was due to the firefighter’s prompt action that the youngster’s life saved,” said acting fire brigade watch manager David Carnegie.
“The youngster was losing his grip ands couldn’t hold on much longer—he was losing his strength.”
Firefighter Hailey, 28, is now being recommended for a lifesaving commendation.
Police had to close the Mile End Road for 90 minutes during the rescue. They reopened it at 5am.
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