An 86-year-old former England footballer had to be pulled free by mountain rescue teams after collapsing in Blackleach Country park in Clifton, Salford.
Tommy Banks was part of England’s 1958 World Cup team in Sweden alongside legends Bobby Charlton and Tom Finney.
He’d gone out on Friday 12 February to walk his 10-year-old Welsh border collie, Susie, in the popular green area.
But family were frantic when the pensioner didn’t return home and at 5.30pm reported him missing.
Missing: 86-year-old found ‘confused but safe’ in Blackleach Country Park
Tommy, who made 250 appearances for Bolton Wanderers Football Club during his career, slipped and fell in boggy undergrowth after following Susie into a wood.
Rescuers desperately tried to find him before exposure set in.
But Tommy was held fast for over six hours.
Clinging to a tree he yelled out for help.
Blackleach Country Park in Clifton is beautiful but can be dangerous for the unprepared
READ: Miraculous rescue of ‘near-death’ missing man in Salford park
It was only when local PCSO Derek Thomas, who joined the multi-agency search in Blackleach, heard Susie barking, that Tommy could be pulled to safety.
Former Bolton Mountain Rescue Chairman Derek found Tommy collapsed but conscious, being comforted by his dog.
It then took an hour for Mountain Rescue, police officers and paramedics to rescue him on a stretcher.
Tommy was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital with hypothermia at 7.30pm and kept in overnight but has no serious injuries.
He said after the ordeal “All of a sudden I heard Susie barking and saw this torchlight. I picked my head up, I was so relieved. It was so close but it felt a million miles away.
“Then they all started swarming round me with blankets. They were wonderful, absolutely marvellous. I am so grateful. They saved my life.”
PCSO Thomas knew the FA Cup winner from his Farnworth beat and will now receive an Chief Constable’s Commendation for his work.
He even returned a prized handkerchief to the former England defender days after Tommy had lost it in his ordeal in Blackleach.
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PCSO Derek Thomas said he had “a feeling” that he’d be able to find the popular local character.
“The best reward was seeing Tommy safe and well the next day. He’s a cracking bloke.
“The rescue was a brilliant team effort and I’m grateful to my colleagues for their help in getting Tommy to safety.”
Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said: “Derek’s dedication saved the life of a popular local character and I am delighted that Tommy is now safe and well.
“This is a great example of community policing and highlights the importance of our neighbourhood officers and
their extensive local knowledge.”
Main image © Ian Seddon
