A man trapped at the top a 290ft chimney in Carlisle has died, Cumbria Police have confirmed.

Officers had been working since the early hours to reach the man on Dixon's Chimney.

Pictures showed him hanging by his legs from the top.

It is not known how he made it up the former cotton mill tower, or why he was there, but emergency services were called at around 2.20am on Monday.

A statement from Cumbria Police said: "Police can confirm that a man who was trapped at height on Dixon's Chimney in Carlisle and later recovered during a multi-agency operation has been confirmed as deceased.


"Paramedics pronounced the man, in his 50s and from Carlisle, deceased at the scene at around 4.45pm."

Image: The operation finished at about 5pm. Pics: Twitter/ Tim Graham

A statement added: "The thoughts of all the emergency services and partners are with the family and friends of the man. Specialist welfare police officers are supporting his family at this difficult time.

"An investigation will commence into the circumstances into how and why the man was on the chimney and the constabulary will be informing Her Majesty's Coroner."

A Coastguard helicopter was brought in to attempt a rescue earlier but the operation was aborted due to the precarious position of the trapped individual.

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service brought in a work platform with a specialist working-at-height team.

The operation to take the man down finished shortly before 5pm.

Roads around the structure, a prominent local landmark which was built in 1836, were closed.

The chimney is around 290ft tall, and is a Grade II listed building.

When built it was the largest chimney in the country, according to a citation on the Historic England website.