Wallasey Tunnel closed due to person being ‘trapped’

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service were alerted to the incident on Waterloo Road in Liverpool at around 8.40am this morning (Wednesday, April 3).

A rescue team is currently in attendance as well as Merseyside Tunnel Police and North West Ambulance Service.

A spokesperson for the fire service confirmed that the incident was a “rescue from depth” with one casualty “conscious and breathing”.

In a statement the service said: “Fire service personnel are developing a tactical plan alongside the search and rescue team to gain access to and retrieve the casualty.

“A multi-agency meeting has taken place and a full closure of the Wallasey Tunnel in both directions has been confirmed by Merseyside Tunnel Police.

"This is to enable a coordinated rescue by Fire Service personnel to retrieve the casualty and convey them into the care of NWAS.

“The casualty has been rescued from inside the ventilation system and is in the care of NWAS.

"Fire Service personnel are making up equipment and withdrawing from the tunnel.

"The casualty has now been conveyed to hospital.”

Merseyside Police confirmed that a man had fallen while working on a ventilation shaft.

A spokesperson for the force said: "We received a report that a man had fallen whilst working on a ventilation shaft on Waterloo Road, Liverpool. The Tunnel is closed whilst Merseyside Fire and Rescue Services and other emergency services are currently at the scene."

A Merseytravel spokesperson said: “This morning emergency services responded to an incident which necessitated the temporary closure of the Liverpool-bound tube of the Kingsway (Wallasey) Tunnel. This incident has now concluded with the tunnel reopening to traffic in both directions. We thank the emergency services for their rapid response and customers for their patience.”

Live traffic and travel tracker, INRIX, states: “One lane closed due to police incident on Kingsway Wallasey Tunnel Eastbound from Wallasey to Liverpool. Traffic is coping well.”