Stourbridge dog walker falls down manhole

A man has been taken to hospital after falling down a manhole while walking his dog in the West Midlands.

The 34-year-old was found in the shaft on Dunsley Road, Stourbridge, after his dog returned home without him.

Firefighters said the man, who fell about 15ft (4.6m), was put on a board and winched to safety.

Severn Trent Water, the agency responsible for the manhole, has now replaced the cover - which had been missing for three months.

'Full investigation'

A spokeswoman said they had put a barrier and cone in place when the missing cover was reported stolen in May.

She said: "We are treating this incident extremely seriously and have launched a full investigation.

"Engineers are on site and have replaced the manhole cover.

"The barriers will remain in place until the work is complete."

The injured man was taken to Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley, after being treated for back pain by paramedics at the scene.