A group of bin men have told of how they stumbled upon an unconscious man lying in a ditch due to sheer luck after spotting his boots from the lorry cab.
Rubbish collectors who were emptying bins on Chapel Lane, in Wymondham on Tuesday discovered a man, described by a neighbour as "well-dressed" lying face-up in the trench at the side of the road just before 8am.
And the quick-thinking crew, who sprang into action, alerting residents and the emergency services, have now spoken of their shocking experience.
Jonathan Osborne, who was driving the refuse lorry for South Norfolk Council, said: "The first thing I saw was a pair of boots.
"I was driving so I was high up and could see into the ditch at the side of the road."
The 61-year-old added: "It didn't look right so I pulled over and we went to have a look. The man was lying on his back and at first I thought he was dead."
And his colleague Gary Sewell said: "A woman arrived who had been walking up the road and she went to a nearby house to see if she could get help.
"While she was doing that, Dale [another crew member] phoned 101 and 999.
Mr Osborne, from Harleston, who has worked for the council for more than three decades, added: "I've seen quite a bit over the last 31 years but you just get on and do what needs doing.
"We're all first aid trained, we could see the man was breathing so the most important thing to do was get him some help."
And 49-year-old Mr Sewell, from Cringleford, who has worked for the council for ten years, added: "When the woman came back she said that she would wait for the ambulance, and, as we could hear the sirens approaching, we climbed back in the lorry and continued our round."
The pair were on a shift with Dale Blyth, aged 25, from Cringleford - who was the crew member who phoned the emergency services.
An ambulance service spokesperson said: "We were called at 7.49am with reports of a person who was unconscious.
"We sent one ambulance and took a patient to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for further treatment."
A fire service spokesperson said a fire engine from Wymondham assisted the ambulance service on Chapel Lane at 8am until 8.15am.
Officers from Norfolk Police are also understood to have attended.
- Do you have any information about the incident or the man's identity ? Email reporter jessica.frank-keyes@archant.co.uk
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