A MAN is in hospital today after falling four metres from an internal ladder, on board a container ship moored in Ipswich dock.

The casualty, who is believed to be in his 40s, fell from the ladder to the base of the ships hold, according to the fire service.

The fire brigade were alerted, along with paramedics to the ship Wesertor, docked at Cliff Quay, shortly before 10am.

Seven fire crews from Ipswich, Woodbridge, Felixstowe and Elmswell were called to help get the casualty off the ship.

They arrived at the scene to find a man with suspected spinal injuries.

Fire crews used a basket and scoop stretcher and other specialist equipment to help free the man.

He was placed in a container and a dock-side crane was used to extract the container and rescue the man.

A spokeswoman for the East of England Ambulance Service said the man has been taken to Ipswich Hospital.

She said he was suffering spinal injuries but they are not thought to be life threatening.