Helicopter Rescue at Worcester Cathedral Tower After Man Falls Ill During Filming
A 53-year-old man filming a historical re-enactment at the top of Worcester Cathedral’s towering spire was airlifted to safety by a coastguard helicopter after falling ill with hypoglycemia.
Perilous Rescue from Narrow Cathedral Tower
The man became unwell around 9:30am on Saturday inside the cathedral’s cramped, narrow internal staircase, making ground evacuation impossible. A UK search and rescue chopper from St Athan, near Cardiff, was scrambled to the scene.
The helicopter crew winched him safely off the tower despite daunting challenges – including turrets, flagpoles, strong winds, and a tiny work area. Emergency services said the aerial rescue was the only viable option given the cathedral’s unique architecture.
All Agencies Praised for Swift Action
Worcester’s fire service and coastguard teams worked seamlessly to get the man to hospital, where he is expected to make a full recovery.
“All agencies involved should take an enormous amount of credit, not only for their effective working and professionalism on the day but also for their meticulous pre-planning and regular exercising at this site,” said Station Commander Phil Berry.
Cathedral Thanks Rescue Teams
Worcester Cathedral took to Twitter to praise the helicopter crew and fire services from Worcester and Droitwich for their prompt and professional response. The dramatic rescue highlights the risks faced during filming in historic, hard-to-reach locations.
