Man trapped down Romford sewer rescued from drain by police

The man was rescued from a drain in Brentwood Road. Archant

A man was rescued after he was found trapped in the sewer system beneath Brentwood Road.

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Police were called to Brentwood Road at around 12.20pm to reports of a man trapped in a drain on Thursday, February 8.

Sam Palmer, manager at Big White Cube Vehicle Hire was at work when she heard someone calling for help.

She told the Recorder: “We directed the police to the area where we could hear shouting.

“The man looked very dirty and dishevelled.

“It was a very unusual event that I probably won’t experience again in my lifetime.”

Lorraine Moss from Romford, was on her way to work when she saw the man stuck in the drain.

“Initially, I assumed that someone had been run over. However, as I got closer I could see a man standing in the drain, only the top half of his body was visible and he was covered in dirt,” said Lorraine.

“It took quite a few people to lift off the cover off and then there he was.

“The man told everyone that he had been stuck for about two days and entered the sewers in Barking.”

A police spokesman said: “Officers attended and freed the 48-year-old man by removing the manhole cover.

“Enquiries are underway to establish the circumstances of the male being trapped within the sewer system.

“He was taken to an East London Hospital for treatment to injuries to his feet. His injuries are not life threatening.”

A London Ambulance Service spokesman added: “We sent an incident response officer and team leaders in an ambulance.

“We treated a man at the scene for leg injuries and for exposure to cold tempreatures and water.

“He was taken as priority to hospital.”

Stephanie Noe, 29, from Longfield Avenue said: “It was so strange. The man was really dirty and I don’t think he was wearing any shoes.

“He looked a bit bewildered and confused.

“He was saying that he’d been down there for a couple of days. I don’t think he knew where he was.”

Are you this man? We at the Recorder would like to hear from you, please contact April.Roach@archant.co.uk.