A bell ringer was seriously injured at St Luke’s church on Sunday morning and had to be rescued by an emergency fire brigade crew via a high window.
The male campanologist was in the belfry of the church in Sydney Street taking part in the traditional 20-minute “peal” before the 10.30am service – the first Sunday service to be taken by new rector Mrs Lydia Cook – when a dramatic incident unfolded.
Officials at St Luke’s have steadfastly refused to reveal any details of the incident, but initial reports coming direct to The Citizen claim that the bell ringer got tangled in the bell rope he was operating. He was then suddenly whipped off his feet and hoisted up into the belfry. Apparently, he then fell to the floor and suffered leg injuries.
“It was a freak accident,” said one person claiming to have knowledge of the incident. “I was told that one second he was pulling the bell rope and the next he was whipped up into the air attached to the rope. He then landed with an almighty crash. He was really hurt and could not walk.”
One other contrasting report suggested that the bell ringer was in fact trapped in mid-air by the rope, but the Citizen cannot confirm this report.
What is known for certain is that Sydney Street, which runs between the King’s and Fulham roads, was swamped by emergency vehicles and teams of first responders from the police, ambulance and fire services. A difficult operation was then undertaken to rescue the injured man.
The stone stairway to the belfry – which lies behind an oak door to the left of the entrance – was deemed too narrow to carry the victim out safely. Firefighters then proceeded to create an opening in one of the lead-lined windows of the main tower, which rises to 142ft.
The Citizen has been told that the man was finally lifted onto a platform raised from a fire engine and he was then rushed to hospital. His condition has since been described as stable and not life-threatening.
Late on Sunday, St Luke’s had released an emotional statement referring to their “deep shock” and asking for people to pray for the injured man, and to give thanks to the emergency services. An up-dated statement was released yesterday. (see below)
The Citizen visited the church yesterday and briefly met Mrs Cook. She politely declined to add any comment as regards the incident. (No hard feelings. We took the opportunity to welcome her to the parish!)
The Citizen will report back on the condition of the bell ringer as soon as we have any news.
A sheet of blue tarpaulin protects the window that was prised open so the victim could be rescued
The Statements
The Bells. The Bells
Previously at St Luke’s….
St Luke’s is a prime example of Gothic Revival architecture. Designed by architect James Savage and built entirely with Bath stone, the foundation stone was laid in 1820 and the church was consecrated on 12th October 1824. Its 10 bells were cast in the Whitechapel foundry and are contemporaneous with the church.
Controversially, the burial ground at St Luke’s was build over to create a public park in 1881. The gravestones now rest as decoration pieces around the perimeter of the church grounds.
Charles Dickens was married to Catherine Hogarth at St Luke’s on 2nd April 1836.
The church opened in 1824 PHOTO ©St Luke’s
