A MAN who suffered a suspected heart attack close to a steep riverbank was saved by a team of rescuers.

At shortly before 6pm on Saturday (April 9), emergency services were called by members of the public who were concerned about a man close to the river on Whalley Banks in Blackburn.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Picture: LFRS Drone

A drone was also deployed to assist crews in rescuing the man, who it is suspected had suffered a cardiac arrest.

In the end the person was brought to safety using an aerial ladder platform and was taken to hospital by paramedics.

A spokesman said: “Four fire engines from Blackburn, Penwortham, Hyndburn, and Preston, together with an aerial ladder appliance from Hyndburn and a water rescue unit, attended a rescue of a person on Whalley Banks, Blackburn.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Picture: LFRS Drone

“The incident involved one casualty who was rescued from an embankment before being placed in the care of paramedics. Crews were in attendance for an hour and twenty minutes.”