Woman, 86, trapped for 24 hours

An 86-year-old woman is recovering in hospital after hanging from a cellar ladder by her foot for 24 hours.

Paramedics were called to a house in Ipswich just after 10am after being alerted to the woman's plight by a friend.

She was found suspended upside down after her foot had become trapped the previous day in a ladder that led down to a cellar.

The friend had visited to check on her after concerns were raised because no-one had heard from the woman.

Paramedics and firefighters rescued the woman before treating her and taking her to Ipswich hospital where she is continuing treatment for hypothermia and leg injuries.

An ambulance service spokesman said: "The woman concerned is making a remarkable recovery and we wish her all the best.

"Paramedics and fire crews worked very well together in rescuing her from a traumatic situation and our crews did out a great job in treating her and getting her to hospital so quickly.

"We'd like to thank everyone concerned but special praise goes out to the friend who called us.

"If such caring did not exist things might have turned out very differently.

"It just goes to demonstrate that just a simple check on a friend or neighbour can potentially save a life."