EMERGENCY services had to be called to save a man after he fell approximately 50 feet down a ravine.

The incident happened just after 10pm on Saturday after he slipped and fell into the gully near Tockholes and his friend also got trapped trying to help him.

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The man who slipped suffered an open leg fracture while the other suffered a hand injury.

The incident happened after they went camping in the woods. A third person in the group called for an ambulance.

Fire crews from Darwen, Hyndburn, Blackburn and Chorley attended the incident off Tockholes Road alongside the urban search and rescue unit, the rope rescue team from St Annes, the Aerial Ladder platform from Hyndburn and the Bolton Mountain rescue team.

Chris Greenhalgh, deputy team leader at the mountain rescue, said: “Ambulance services contacted us at about 10pm on Saturday. We received information that an injured person had fallen down the ravine and was quite seriously injured.

“On the way we found out there was in fact two casualties after his friend had gone to help.

“It was a really good response, everyone joined in and the group worked really well together.”

The mountain rescue team had to help the man with the fractured leg by abseiling down the gully.

They then splinted the leg with the assistance of the fire and ambulance services and set up a rope system to help get him up.

The man who had suffered wrist injuries was able to walk out himself.

A police helicopter had to be used initially to help locate the pair.

Mr Greenhalgh said: “We were out for a long time, about three and half to four hours, it was a big incident and had a big response.

“Approximately 2.30am we got back to the base so it was a late finish for everyone.”

Rob Knight, from Darwen fire station, was one of the officers who helped during the rescue.

He said: “The slope was in woodland across the road from The Royal Arms pub.

“It was around a 50 foot drop leading down to a stream.

“It was very rocky and uneven and presented numerous challenges for the various teams there.

“The paramedics were very concerned about the casualty’s welfare but the teams worked well together to get the men out.”