Hero rescue teams praised after scaling 200ft Oldbury tower to save stranded man
Rescue teams have been praised as "heroes" after making their way up a 200ft tower to reach a stranded and vulnerable man.
The man, thought to be in his 20s, had climbed the telecoms tower on Turners Hill in Oldbury late on Friday evening.
Paramedics and the fire service's rope rescue team displayed "amazing heroism" to bring him safely back down, police chiefs have said.
Tweeting an image of the rescue, which started at about 6.30pm on Friday and lasted three hours, Chief Inspector Jack Hadley of West Midlands Police, described it as an "outstanding response to a stranded male in crisis".
He wrote alongside the image: "Outstanding response to a stranded male in crisis last night. Amazing heroism shown by West Midlands Ambulance Service and West Midlands Fire Service's specialist rope rescue teams working together to rescue the man. Glad to say the brilliant response meant he got down safely and is now being supported. Much respect."
The rescued man is now in the care of a mental health team, paramedics have said.
The work of the rescuers was praised on social media, with many branding it 'amazing teamwork'.
Stuart Little said: "Great rescue by the looks of it, well done to all involved for a safe resolution."
Also at the weekend, the M6 was closed for more than five hours at Junction 10 for Walsall after a man climbed over the railings on the bridge over the motorway.
Motorists faced 90-minute delays in both directions on Saturday morning as many headed off for Bank Holiday breaks of sports events.
The motorway was reopened around midday.
