A MALVERN firefighter is recovering from a broken leg after plunging 20ft from a tower during training.

The 29-year-old was carried by air ambulance from the training tower at Malvern Fire Station after his fall on Saturday afternoon (August 12).

He was flown to Cheltenham General Hospital rather than transferred by road because it was feared his injuries were more severe.

The accident happened during a training exercise by Malvern's line-rescue team.

The Malvern-based firefighter, who Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade has declined to name, was using the rescue equipment to abseil down the tower when he fell and fractured his leg.

Brigade spokesman, Alec Mackie, said the accident was still under investigation.

"We're all shocked by what happened," he said.

"These guys know what they're doing because they have to do it for real but they also have to practise.

"The team are all volunteers. The Brigade is not required to have a line rescue team but because of the station's proximity to the Malvern Hills, and from time to time people and animals get trapped or fall down them, a group of them decided it would be a good idea if they did this sort of activity," said Mr Mackie.

"They're all experts but accidents do happen.

"We are testing all the line rescue equipment and we shall be talking to the poor guy when he is fit and able to tell us what happened to try and determine the cause of this accident," said Mr Mackie.

n The line rescue team was called out to rescue a man from a 600ft drop at North Malvern Quarry on July 31 and used a newly-developed technique to haul the man up to safety.