‘I could have broken my leg’ - Arlesey man gets stuck walking over footbridge
A 62-year-old man's leg fell through this footbridge on Monday afternoon. - Credit: Archant
A 62-year-old man has been left with tissue damage to his leg after getting it wedged in a footbridge while taking a stroll.
Wayne Ruffle was making his regular walk over the common in Arlesey – having entered by Lamb Meadow – at about 5.30pm on Monday afternoon, when his dogs charged over a wooden footbridge which leads over a 10-foot drop to water below.
Because there were ponies in the next field, as well as a female jogger, Mr Ruffle shouted after them, but was taken by surprise as his leg slipped through a hole in the bridge.
Mr Ruffle, who has lived in Arlesey for 14 years, said: “I was distracted by my dogs and fell straight through.
“I was hollering after the jogger, who had her earphones in, but I managed to get her attention in the end and she helped me out.
“It was a very frightening experience.
“If I hadn’t managed to steady myself I would have broken my leg.”
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Mr Ruffle was taken to Lister Hospital in Stevenage, and after having X-rays was released at about 9.30pm that evening.
He added: “I am still limping around the house at the moment.
“According to a friend the bridge was damaged on Saturday evening and then a plank was removed the following night.
“I’ve never seen any damage done to the bridge previously, except for wear and tear.
“I spoke with the contractors when this was being constructed and was assured it would last for years.
“My neighbour has made the bridge safe temporarily and Central Bedfordshire Council will be coming to fix it.”
