Man stuck upside down at top of 270ft chimney, fire chiefs appeal for rescue help - regional

Police were first called at 2.22am to reports of a man trapped on the top of the chimney in Cumbria. 

The rescue operation includes Urban Search and Rescue team members from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service. 

Urban Search and Rescue team members from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, prepare to use a hydraulic platform

Footage from the scene also appears to show a figure, upside down with his legs in the air, at the top of Dixon's Chimney in Carlisle, Cumbria.

There is no information on how, or why, the man came to be trapped up the chimney available at the moment.

The panic began among residents this morning, with local reports saying shouts and wailing could be heard coming from the chimney in the early hours of this morning, before police arrived on the scene. As early morning mist cleared, the figure could be seen at the top.

Since then, a Coastguard helicopter has been hovering close to the chimney top with police, fire and ambulance services scrambled to the scene below.

His condition is not known but he has now been trapped upside down at the top of the structure for around 11 hours.

Fire chiefs have made an urgent public appeal for a high-rise cherry picker to help resolve the situation.

Cumbria Fire and Rescue area manager John McVay said: "This is a very complex and difficult process given the obvious dangers to the man and the extreme difficulty in gaining access to him in a way which will keep him and emergency services safe.

"I can assure the public that the emergency services are working tirelessly and effectively together to resolve this issue safely for all and that the protection of life is our first priority.

"I ask people impacted by the incident and the road closures to continue to show patience.

"I'd also like to ask anyone who has a cherry picker in excess of 90 metres within Cumbria to please contact Cumbria police or Cumbria Fire and rescue service on 999."

The Coastguard helicopter attempted a rescue earlier on Monday but the operation was aborted due to the precarious position of the trapped individual.

Steeplejacks, mountain rescue and firefighters are now awaiting the industrial-scale cherry picker to assist the operation.

Superintendent Matt Kennerley, of Cumbria Police, said: "We are looking at various options to rescue this man safely.

"So far, the multi-agency response has seen us utilise technology including drones.

"A helicopter has been used to try to rescue the man and efforts have been made to try to drop a technical rescue team on to the chimney to rescue him.

"These two attempts have not been successful so far due to concerns over how securely the man is attached to the ladder at the top of the chimney - and the potential danger of backdrafts from the helicopter.

"These concerns over how securely he is attached have also prevented us from sending someone up the ladder from the bottom. The ladder is also damaged.

"Ladders used by Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service will be mobilised to see if they can assist while we are awaiting the arrival of the cherry picker.

"This is an extremely complex and rare incident and requires the specialisms of all the agencies to work together.

"We are very concerned about the man involved and all those involved in this operation are working tirelessly to bring this to a safe conclusion for all.

Mr Kennerley added: "Police officers are with the man's family offering them support throughout this.

"We would like to thank the public for their patience as we work to safely rescue this man.

"We are doing all we can to minimise disruption to the public and businesses."

Roads around the structure, a prominent local landmark which was built in 1836, have been closed.

The chimney is around 270ft tall, is a Grade II listed building and when built was the largest chimney in the country, according to a citation on the Historic England website.