A CRANE driver working 50 feet up in the air at Southampton docks had to be dramatically rescued by firefighters yesterday afternoon when he injured his back.

Larry Wilson, 42, was nearing the end of his shift at Maritime Freightliner at Dock Gate 20 when he hurt himself moving too quickly in the crane's cab.

Unable to climb down a series of ladders he radioed for help. Colleagues called emergency services, and fire crews with a 100ft turntable ladder and an ambulance turned out at 3pm.

Crews, using the extendable ladder, removed safety glass from the worker's cab while ambulance officers put married Mr Wilson in a neckbrace and immobilised his back.

After about 45 minutes he was taken out on a stretcher, lowered to the ground and rushed to Southampton General Hospital. He was released after treatment.

Station officer Roy Havery said: "It was an awkward situation and the man was in a lot of pain."

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