Woman rescued after falling 7ft into pub cellar

Jema Paull suffered bruising and a potential chest fracture in the fall

A woman is recovering after falling 7ft (2.1m) into a cellar during work to prepare a pub for reopening.

Jema Paull is part of the four-person team behind the reopening of the New Inn, Amesbury, near Stonehenge in Wiltshire.

On Monday, she fell through a square hole, which had been cut into the pub's floor ahead of a glass installation, into the cellar below. Paramedics and firefighters placed the 46-year-old on a stretcher and lifted her to safety.

Ms Paull's partner, Nate Saitch, said: "She was super at dealing with the pain. She's doing okay and we've had so many kind messages from people to check on her. We are just so grateful to everyone who helped."

"She fell about 7ft. I saw her disappear. It was very scary. But I'm so grateful I saw her fall, otherwise she could have been stuck there for a lot longer before we realised what happened," he added.

An electrician working at the pub called 999 with Ms Paull in "a lot of pain" as she struggled to breathe in the small cellar space, Mr Saitch said.

He also reached out to friend and retired paramedic Des Young to help.

"He came straight over from Durrington so was there in about five minutes. To be honest, I was really scared and wanted someone who knew what they were doing.

"Des got a ladder and climbed down into the cellar to be with Jema. He kept her in one place and kept her calm. He was a hero," the 50-year-old said.

New Inn owners Kirsty Watts, Adam Watts, Jema Paull and Nate Saitch

After about four hours, emergency services arrived to lift her to safety.

Tests showed she had suffered bruising and a potential chest fracture.

Mr Saitch said: "There were a lot of people there at the height of things. Jema was a bit embarrassed about causing a fuss. The main thing is that Jema will be okay."

Ms Paull hopes to be fit enough to welcome customers to the pub when it opens in a few weeks alongside her partner and couple Kirsty and Adam Watts, who are also part of the team.

Alex Bowen, of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) said: "We're glad to hear that Jema is recovering from her ordeal, we hope for a speedy and full recovery.

"These incidents whilst infrequent can be complex and have huge consequences to the victim."