A YOUNG person who had tried to walk across a canal using piping had to be rescued by emergency services after falling into the water.

They had tried to cross the Runcorn and Weston Canal using piping systems to the dock. It is thought the person slipped off the pipes and fell into the water.

Fire crews from Runcorn and Widnes were called to the incident along with paramedics.

The drop into the canal was around five metres and because the descent into the canal was dangerous firefighters set up a special system to help them lift the casualty from the water.

Paramedics helped to secure the youngster onto a spinal board and then firefighters used line rescue equipment to lift them out of the canal. The youngster was then taken to hospital to be treated for their injuries.