Kite Flier Rescued

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31771, 30 August 1968, Page 12

Kite Flier Rescued

Russell Thompson, aged 10, of 33 Pauline Street, North Linwood, was flying his kite in Bromley Park yesterday when it was caught in a poplar tree. He climbed the tree to rescue the kite and an hour later, after the police and firemen on two engines had been called, Russell was rescued.

After climbing 40ft, Russell jammed a foot in the fork of a branch and could not move up or down. The branches where Russell was stuck would not bear the weight of policemen so they called the fire brigade and an engine with

escape ladder was sent from Woolston. But the ladder was too short. The turntable ladder, which can be extended to more than 90ft, was sent to the park from headquarters. Station Officer R. Craig freed Russell’s foot from his shoe which was stuck fast in the fork and then freed the kite 10ft higher.

Russell was frightened but calm, with his arms wrapped round the trunk of the tree as it swayed through sft in the brisk wind. He rode to the ground on the platform at the top of the ladder.