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# Horror as woman falls 15ft down drain in Plymouth
- URL: https://www.plymouthplus.co.uk/horror-as-woman-falls-15ft-down-drain-in-plymouth/
- Published: 2026-04-19T13:30:28.000Z
- Updated: 2026-04-20T20:30:49.000Z
- Author: Seamus McCoy
- Tags: Plymouth City Centre, Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, News, #editors-picks

A woman is lucky to be alive after falling 15ft down a drain in Plymouth during the early hours of this morning.

Emergency services were called at 12.51am on Sunday (19 April) to Princess Street in [Plymouth city centre](https://www.plymouthplus.co.uk/tag/plymouth-city-centre/).

It is understood that the woman plunged approximately 15ft down the drain after the manhole cover gave way.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/74/83/7483ab0e-4e89-48b0-a2a9-d29bc2bbbe08/content/images/2026/04/NN2A8779.JPG)

****The drain the woman fell down.** (Image: Plymouth Plus)

Thankfully, the woman was not alone at the time and her friend was able to call emergency services for help.

Police officers were first on scene and went down into the drain in an attempt to rescue the woman as fire and ambulance rushed to the scene. 

Four appliances were sent to the scene and firefighters erected a tripod above the drain to winch the woman to safety.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/74/83/7483ab0e-4e89-48b0-a2a9-d29bc2bbbe08/content/images/2026/04/Drain-fall-rescue.png)

****The rescue underway.** (Image: Plymouth Plus)

Paramedics from Alliance Pioneer Group, a private ambulance provider, attended the scene on behalf of the [South Western Ambulance Service](https://www.plymouthplus.co.uk/tag/south-western-ambulance-service/).

They rushed the woman on blue lights to [Derriford Hospital](https://www.plymouthplus.co.uk/tag/derriford-hospital/). She was breathing and conscious at the scene and her injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

[​Plymouth City Council](https://www.plymouthplus.co.uk/tag/plymouth-city-council/) sent a highways team to the scene, who placed a cordon around the dangerous exposed drain. 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/74/83/7483ab0e-4e89-48b0-a2a9-d29bc2bbbe08/content/images/2026/04/NN2A8790.JPG)

****Plymouth highways at the scene.** (Image: Plymouth Plus)

A spokesperson for [Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service](https://www.plymouthplus.co.uk/tag/devon-and-somerset-fire-and-rescue-service/) said:

> "Several appliances were sent to assist the Police who were in attendance with someone who had fallen down a drain. 

> "On arrival crews found this was one adult who had fallen approximately 15ft down a drain. 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/74/83/7483ab0e-4e89-48b0-a2a9-d29bc2bbbe08/content/images/2026/04/NN2A8666.JPG)

****Firefighters at the scene.** (Image: Plymouth Plus)

> "Crews rescued the casualty using working at height equipment. The casualty was then handed over to an Ambulance crew on scene."

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