by Nicola Jordan

A major rescue operation was launched after a man fell off a wall on the riverside on Medway City Estate and plunged 15 feet on to the mudback.

It is believed a strong gust of wind could have swept the middle-aged man backwards as he was having his lunch today.

It is believed he works nearby and regularly sits on the wall to have his sandwiches.

Fire crews got him on to a long board and the height vehicle was called to winch him to a waiting ambulance.

The air ambulance was scrambled, but was not needed, and Medway Coastguard were also there to assist in the one-half hour operation.

The man is believed to have suffered head, neck and back injuries but remained conscious throughout the drama.

Fire station manager Stuart Beadle said it was an "excellent example" of all the emergency services working together.

He said: "We knew we had more than an hour to get him up because the high tide was not due until 3.20pm. So rather than get him out quickly manually we decided to make him as comfortable as possible and use the height vehicle.

"The paramedics were there to give advice so we were down there for about an hour before he was moved.

"It would have been a different story if was in a life-threatening condition and the tide was coming in fast."

As a precaution the fire launch was called from Sheppey, but was sent back once the man was taken to the ambulance where paramedics administered oxygen.

Richard Rodgers, deputy station officer of Medway HMS Coastguard, based on the city estate said "It was a very good joint operation. The wind was particularly strong at that part of the river.

Two fire crews from Medway and Strood and police were also in attendance.