A BOULDER almost certainly saved a 33-year-old man from death after he fell while out walking at a disused Birtle quarry.

Mr John Boslem tumbled 15ft and was rescued by fire crews after his lucky escape.

A boulder broke his fall, preventing him from plunging 80ft to the base of the quarry below.

Mr Boslem, who lives in Rochdale, lapsed into nervous shock following the accident at Castle Hill Quarry on Monday (May 29).

After being treated by ambulance paramedics, who joined two Bury fire crews in the rescue, he declined hospital treatment. During the operation, fire crews harnessed specialist line access equipment to reach the injured man.

Earlier, he had been exploring the area with a friend, looking at ponds.

Station Officer Paul Myserscough of Bury fire brigade, said: "They had climbed over the back of the quarry. Mr Boslem slipped 15ft and down to the edge of the quarry.

"He was about to fall 80ft down to the base of the quarry, but the boulder saved him."

Mr Boslem's friend raised the alarm and fire and ambulance crews raced to the scene.

Station Officer Myserscough added: "After his fall, Mr Boslem went into some form of nervous shock. He was immobilised and couldn't move.

"We had to climb to the top of the quarry and use special line access equipment to rescue him.

"The access to him was very difficult. It was very slippy and quite dangerous."

He continued: "But we managed it with the equipment we were using. We located Mr Boslem who was right on the edge.

"There was solid rock at the bottom of the quarry and only the boulder stopped him from falling 80ft to the base."

Fire crews had to negotiate 350 yards of tough terrain before finally reaching the injured man who was physically carried across a field to a nearby farmhouse.

After being given oxygen by an ambulance crew, he declined hospital treatment.

Emergency crews were involved in the rescue drama for around an hour.