Boy injured in verge plunge

A 10-year-old boy had to be rescued after falling partway down a steep embankment in Dudley.

Ambulance crews were called to Knowle Hill Road in Netherton last night to find the youngster stranded halfway down the incline.

Fire crews from Brierley Hill were called in to help rescue the youngster, who had suffered injuries to his back and leg, at around 6.30pm.

Extendable ladders had to be set up at the bottom of the bank by fire crews so paramedics could reach the boy.

He was placed onto a stretcher and both firefighters and paramedics worked together to carefully slide the stretcher down the ladders to safety.

West Midlands Ambulance Service's hazardous area response team and an all terrain vehicle was also used in the rescue.

The youngster was taken to hospital for checks and treatment.

Watch commander Danny Hines, of Brierley Hill Fire Station, said: "At the moment we do not know what caused him to fall down the embankment."