News Release
Woman helped after fall
Dated: 07 Oct 2012
Emergency services were called to the Walbottle Dene area of Newcastle, known locally as 'The Winnings' at 8.40pm on Friday, October 5, after receiving a call that someone was stuck in the mud.
Officers attended the area and found that a 77-year-old local woman had slipped and fallen over in a muddy area and had been assisted by several young people who had been in the area at the time and had heard her shouting for assistance. She was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary where she was kept in overnight as a precaution.
Police have spoken to the contractors at the site who have responded with additional security, fencing and signage to close off the affected area and to prevent further problems.
Officers carried out patrols in the area during the evening to make sure no one else was in difficulties and have visited residents to make them aware of the issue.
Chief Inspector Steve Barron from Newcastle Area Command said: "This was a distressing incident for an elderly woman to have slipped in the mud in the dark. Thankfully there was some good samaritans, a group of young people who quickly came to her aid and helped her to safety.
"We are working with the land owner and contractors at the site to ensure that we have done all we can to keep people safe from this sort of hazard while the building work continues in this area.
"There are areas to which the public are not allowed access and these are clearly marked and where appropriate they are fenced off.
"I would ask that members of the public assist us by staying out of these areas and if people are out and about close to this site they take additional care for the time being.
"Additional police patrols are taking place in the area to reassure local residents."
Cllr Henri Murison, Cabinet member for quality for life in Newcastle City Council, said: "Throughout the floods that have affected Newcastle there have been numerous examples of people helping each other out.
"This is another instance of that, where young people have helped an elderly lady who was clearly in distress.
"I dread to think what could have happened if they had not come across her. And I would like to thank them for the assistance they gave her."