FIVE ambulance crews dashed to a St Albans city centre restaurant today (Friday) to carry out a painstaking rescue of a man who had fallen into the cellar and suffered back injuries.

Herts Advertiser: An injured man was carefully removed from a cellar at Brasserie Blanc in St AlbansAn injured man was carefully removed from a cellar at Brasserie Blanc in St Albans (Image: Archant)

It took two hours to carefully lift the injured man from a cellar at Brasserie Blanc, Verulam Road, St Albans.

The East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) were alerted to Brasserie Blanc at midday.

It is understood the man, believed to be a member of staff at the restaurant, had fallen down the stairs into the cellar, hurting his back.

While his injuries were not life-threatening, the very narrow, steep stairway into the small cellar meant that specialist rescue equipment had to be used.

EEAST spokesman Gary Sanderson said: “Due to the confined space and the nature of his injury, the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) were called upon as they specialise in dealing with patients who require removal from a confined space and hazardous environment.”

It took about two hours to carefully remove him via a hatch door at street level.

Ambulance crews used a variety of equipment including an alpine basket to move him up the steep cellar interior to a waiting ambulance.

He was treated by ambulance crews throughout his rescue.

Gary added: “Our team of paramedics and HART operatives treated, stabilised and immobilised the man who we believe to be in his 20s before he was removed through the cellar hatch door in the street.”

“Following this, the man was taken to Watford General Hospital for further assessments.

“This was an excellent team effort and the local crews worked really well alongside their colleagues from the HART team to successfully remove the man safely from the cellar to street level. We wish the patient a speedy recovery.”