Woman thanks emergency services for rescuing her after falling in marshes

It was meant to be a relaxing walk by the river with her dogs.

But for Chrissie Fisk, her day out ended with the lifeboat service being called out, a helicopter rescue and a lengthy stay in hospital.

Mrs Fisk had been walking with her two black Labradors, and another belonging to a friend, along the marshes on the banks of river Yare between Cantley and Reedham when one of them charged up behind her, knocking her to the ground.

The impact injured her leg, leaving her unable to get up to reach help, as darkness approached. Fortunately, she had enough phone reception to raise the alarm.

A paramedic reached her by yomping along a muddy footpath a mile from the road, while the Gorleston Inshore Lifeboat crew arrived by river, to assist her.

Because of the remote nature of the riverside spot, Mrs Fisk, from Limpenhoe, had to be airlifted to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, where she was found to have a broken right kneecap.

She said: “Even with three hairy dogs to cuddle and wearing serious dog walking clothes, it was freezing out on the marshes and pitch black.

“The moral of the story is never get head-butted by a running Labrador that is not looking where it’s going. Always have your mobile phone in your pocket and boy was I grateful to have a signal.

“I just want to thank the splendid emergency services we have. From Adam the paramedic who lugged all his kit down a muddy mile to reach me, to the Gorleston Inshore Life Boat Crew, who came through the marshes from the river, and the team on the Coastguard rescue helicopter.

“They were all cheerful, good natured, professional to their fingertips and such a welcome sight.