A MAN in his 20s suffered a suspected broken ankle after trying to surf down a flight of stairs on an ironing board.

The North West Ambulance Service and police were called to a house in Colne on Saturday evening after the man’s attempts to find a quicker way down the stairs backfired.

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Police blamed the incident on friends messing around and urged people to be more careful when they are enjoying themselves at home.

PC Nigel Keates said: “I think the injured man or one of his friends called 999 and because there was a lot of screeching going on we were sent as well as the ambulance service. I don’t think the operators were sure what emergency service was required.

“But then when it transpired the ambulance service couldn’t go there for a little while we were called again by one of his friends. But there was very little we could do.

“I think they just wanted some help but there’s not much we can do in that situation when the injuries are self inflicted.”

Police were called at around 6.30pm to North Valley Road after the reports of the accident.

PC Keates said: “It appears it was just some lads messing about having a bit of fun at someone’s house and it has gone wrong.

“It was certainly an unusual one. It’s the first incident of staircase surfing I’ve ever encountered.

“The injured person did seem to be in a bit of pain, I think it was probably a broken ankle. His friends were trying to get him to hospital to get X-Rays and get it checked out.

“I would urge people to be careful with that they are doing. It might sound fun but surfing down the stairs on an ironing board is clearly a dangerous sport.

“An ironing board doesn’t come with instructions for stair surfing for a reason. I think it’s best to stick to the waves.”