Man uses survival techniques in mud trap
A DAD tried to use survival techniques to stop himself sinking further into neck-deep mud as rescuers rushed to save him.
A late-night walk home from the pub ended in panic for Gary Ellis.
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shortcut ordeal: Gary Ellis at the Coopers Edge building site in Brockworth where he became trapped.
The 27-year-old fell into the mud while taking a shortcut through a building site at Coopers Edge in Brockworth.
Gary, from Beaumont Walk, had taken a taxi to the end of Hucclecote Road after having a few drinks with friends when he decided to cut across the site.
He said: "All of a sudden the pavement disappeared and I just dropped down a ledge and went up to my legs in mud. Before I knew it I was up to my waist.
"When I tried to move I fell into the mud face first and when I struggled I just went deeper.
"I remembered watching survival expert Bear Grylls on television on a programme about getting stuck in sludge and he said to evenly distribute your weight – but it didn't work."
Gary said he spent about an hour in the mud before he was eventually rescued at 1.40am on Sunday.
The dad of 20-month-old daughter Ruby-May said he knew he could not escape the mud without help so he called his partner Sarah Hancocks.
He said: "I was up to my neck in mud and there was nobody around to hear or see me, so I was in a bit of a panic.
"I managed to get my phone from my pocket to call Sarah but I think she was half asleep and she didn't really believe me.
"I think she thought I was having a laugh and she put the phone down on me but when I rang her back and she heard the panic in my voice I think she realised I was serious.
"She called the fire brigade and then a while later they came. I have never been so relieved to see blue lights in my whole life."
Three fire crews from Gloucester went to the building site and managed to pull him free.
Gary said: "Looking back I can laugh about it but at the time I was pretty scared. In future I will get a taxi to the front door. I won't be trying to walk and take any short cuts."
Gary was checked over by ambulance crew but was not hurt.
Sarah, 24, said: "I just thought he was being an idiot when he called first because I was half asleep.
"But when he rang again I realised he was in trouble.
"I couldn't leave our daughter at home so I had to call the fire service.
"I am glad that they got him out so quickly and he is OK now."
37 Comments
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by Laura, Essex
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 5:31PM
“This is PUBLIC footpath, to look at the "unfinished" part in the middle it would just look like a muddy patch and ANYONE would walk over it to get to the next part, the point of this article is to raise awareness that NO part of this footpath is fenced off, there are NO signs to say there is uneven ground or that there is a danger, nor is there any signs to say the footpath is closed. How would you feel if your child whether they be small or fully grown and had fallen in and the outcome be different??? You would be asking why there was no warning signs or why was the footpath not closed.
The emergency services didn't need to send so many appliances and staff to the area, but that is no fault of Gary's or indeed Sarah's that was a judgement made by the operator at the time.
I just hope those of you who are being rude and offensive spare a thought to ask yourselves what you would do if it was you or one of yours in that position, whether it was night or day, sober or drunk as like I said it is an OPEN PUBLIC FOOTPATH.”
by dakota, hucclecote
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 4:29PM
“ive walked across here with my dog and the conditions of it are awful, i can see where this man is coming from because ive got my ankles stuck before. it should be fenced off but its not, its free for whoever to walk across it.”
by Gary, glos.
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 3:25PM
“I have paid my taxes for the last 10 years so ive already paid for the service. your moaning about taxpayers money being spent on helping me but what about the rest of the taxpayers money that gets spent on giving immagrants a nice house, furniture and everything else to go in it, bailing out the banks etc im mean you talking millions of pounds and you want to moan about the emergency services helping me out, your a joke. Im glad it happened to me because god forbid it could have been one of your children/grandchildren and they might not have been so lucky! you wouldnt be moaning about taxpayers money being spent then would you!”
by bev, glos
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 1:30PM
“I think some people should keep their opinions to themselves. Iknow gary and all i can say is that he pays his stamp so why cant he use our fire and ambulance services! and who said he was drunk. Glad ur ok gary we thpught it was funny”
by Lee, Glos
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 11:09AM
“When does 'Man does something stupid when drunk' make for headline news??? Why not complain about the brown and green bins while you're at it!!!”