Man injured in 40ft Minster fall

The window was created between 1405 and 1408

A man was taken to hospital after falling about 40ft (12.2m) while helping to unveil a huge print over York Minster's Great East Window.

Luke Parsons, 23, was one of a team of abseiling steeplejacks asked to hang the print. He was not seriously injured and has been discharged from hospital.

The artwork, a replica of the famous window, is the size of a tennis court.

It has been hung on the internal scaffolding which now covers the window while restoration work is carried out.

Minster spokesman Martin Sheppard said Mr Parsons was helped by one of their first aiders before being taken to York Hospital.

'Painful experience'

The Minster is working with the Health and Safety Executive in investigating the accident.

Mr Sheppard said: "Luke Parsons' accident was an awful moment and everyone at the Minster was shaken by the news, and so we're extremely relieved to hear that he isn't seriously injured.

"We will be keeping in touch with his recovery and wish him all the best as he gets over what must have been a frightening experience as well as a very painful one."

All of the panels of the window have been removed and will gradually be restored over the next decade as part of the In The Beginning and York Minster Revealed projects.

The replica of the window will mean that visitors to the Minster will still be able to experience the masterpiece that has been described as "the Sistine Chapel of stained glass" while the window itself is being restored.

The Great East Window was created by Master Glazier John Thornton between 1405 and 1408. It is approximately the size of a tennis court and is the largest single expanse of medieval stained glass in the world.