A MAJOR rescue operation was launched to free a woman trapped for nearly an hour after she fell 35ft down a well in a tiny Suffolk village.

A MAJOR rescue operation was launched last night to free a woman who was trapped for nearly an hour after she fell 35ft down a well in a Suffolk village.

The woman, who has not been named but is believed to be 63, fell through a concrete cover on top of the disused well in The Street, Walberswick.

The woman’s husband quickly called 999 and four fire engines and paramedics were sent to the scene.

A tripod and a winch was set up above the top of the well to raise the woman to the surface. She was taken to James Paget Hospital in Gorleston believed to be suffering with a fractured arm and spine.

The drama unfolded at about 3.35pm and fire engines from Bungay, Felixstowe and Southwold were sent out, along with a specialist unit from Lowestoft and an Urban Search and Rescue team from Norfolk.

An East of England Ambulance Service spokesman said an incident officer, rapid response unit and ambulance were sent to Walberswick along with a Hazardous Area Response Team in case the area around the well was unstable.

The spokesman said: “We believe that she probably may have a spinal fracture and an arm fracture and the patient was taken to James Paget Hospital via land ambulance.”

The woman was rescued by about 4.20pm. Last night nobody was home at the house where the incident is thought to have taken place.