Man tipped into pond from scooter

An elderly man who spent 30 minutes trapped in a garden pond after losing control of his mobility scooter has been rescued by ambulance crews.

Emergency services were called to a house near Abbess Roding, in Essex, on Wednesday afternoon.

The man's wife had heard his shouts for help, but could not get him out so she supported him in the pond until ambulance crews arrived.

The man was taken to hospital after showing signs of hypothermia.

Paramedic Steve Dennehy said: "I went into the pond, which was quite large and deep, and was able to get him out.

"This incident could have turned out to be a lot worse - initially the call had come in as a drowning, so I was relieved to hear the man speak to me as I went into the pond."