Their night took a turn for the worse
10:12, 19 Apr 2026Updated 11:33, 19 Apr 2026
File photo of a Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service engine(Image: Daniel Clark)
Fire crews have rescued a woman who fell down a drain in central Plymouth. The fire service was called about the incident at 12.51am today (Sunday, April 19) near the Theatre Royal multi-storey car park on Princess Street.
Teams from the Camels Head, Crownhill and Greenbank fire stations attended after being alerted to the situation by the police. They found an adult woman who had fallen about fifteen feet down a drain.
The drain is believed to have given way beneath her feet, but a spokesperson for the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said they did not know exactly how the woman ended up in her unfortunate predicament.
Firefighters lowered ropes to the victim before descending and securing her as they carried out a late-night rescue. They lifted the woman out of the drain before handing her over to a waiting ambulance crew.
The woman was conscious, breathing and engaging with emergency services when she was placed in the ambulance. She was not believed to have suffered any serious injuries during her fall but was taken to hospital for a check-up.
A statement from the fire service said: “Several appliances were sent to assist the Police who were in attendance with someone who had fallen down a drain. On arrival crews found this was one adult who had fallen approximately 15ft down a drain.
“Crews rescued the casualty using working at height equipment. The casualty was then handed over to an ambulance crew on scene.”
Police have confirmed details of the incident.
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