A 68-year-old man has been taken to hospital after falling 20ft from a portable scaffolding tower in Rhymney.
Emergency crews were called at 9.30am today, August 20, to the disused Ebenezer Chapel after the local man fell while working on the first floor of the building. The chapel is currently being converted into two flats.
A spokesman for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said two crews from Merthyr attended and were later joined by specialist rescue crews from Malpas and Barry.
A seven metre ladder was used by paramedics to reach the fallen man, who suffered rib injuries and was complaining of chest pains. He was given oxygen and once stabilised, fire and rescue crews lifted him to the ground floor using a basket stretcher and line – similar to those used in mountain rescues.
He was then taken to the Health hospital in Cardiff at around 11am.
A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called today at 9.30am to reports of a male having fallen from scaffolding in the Rhymney area, Caerphilly.
“We responded with three rapid response vehicles, one emergency ambulance and three hazardous area response vehicles where our crews were supported by a doctor. The patient was treated at scene before being taken to the University Hospital of Wales.”
A spokeswoman for the Health and Safety Executive said it was aware of the incident and was making initial enquiries.