A MAN was taken to hospital after falling near the train tracks near Bewdley.

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service crews and West Midlands Ambulance Service were called to the scene - 500 yards away from the Severn Valley Railway station in Bewdley - at around 12.30pm on Sunday (March 19).

Firefighters from Bewdley, Droitwich and Malvern rescued the man - who was in his 60s - before he was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

A spokesman from WMAS said: "We were called to a location about 500 yards away from Severn Valley Railway station in Bewdley.

"We were originally told he had tumbled down an embankment. However, the patient, a man aged 66, told us he tripped over a railway sleeper and hit his head.

"He had a nasty laceration to the top of his head. He was able to walk to the ambulance which had got to within about 30m of him via a lane.

"He was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

"An ambulance, a paramedic area support officer, the hazardous area response team and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham were sent to the scene."

A spokesman from HWFRS added: "The incident involved one male who had fallen down the embankment onto the train tracks.

"Our firefighters and specialist rope rescue team rescued the man, who was then conveyed to hospital via ambulance."

The incident took place during a busy weekend on the train tracks, as Severn Valley Railway hosted its Spring Steam Gala.

A post on the SVR Facebook page said: "Due to an incident near Bewdley involving the scrambling of an air ambulance, we are currently running approximately 30 minutes late.

"We apologise for the delay and we're sorry for any inconvenience caused.

"All trains will run in the same path, albeit slightly late. We will endeavour to make up as much time as possible."