UPDATED: The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service have mobilised a number of appliances and specialist vehicles to an ongoing rescue operation in Whitwell this afternoon (Tuesday).
Hampshire Constabulary and the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service are also on scene having been alerted to the developing situation at around 15:50.
It is unclear at this stage what exactly has sparked the large response, however it is understood to be the rescue of a person.
UPDATE @ 16:30 – Island Echo is told that a child has become trapped in a well in the grounds of a residential property off the main Whitwell Road.
Firefighters are working to free the casualty from the 30ft deep structure.
The main Whitwell to Godshill Road has been closed in both directions.
UPDATE @ 16:45 – Jeff Walls, Station Manager for The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed that a firefighter has been lowered down the well using an Arizona Tripod system to assess and assist a 9-year-old-boy.
Thankfully, it has been a successful operation and the youngster has been raised to the surface and is now in the care of the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service. He had been in the well for around 20 minutes before the alarm was raised.
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) has been called to the scene to further assess the child and transfer him to hospital.
UPDATE @ 17:25 – The young child is being flown to Southampton General Hospital by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, primarily as a precautionary measure.
Amazingly, the boy is not thought to have sustained any life-threatening injuries.
Island Echo understands the family were visiting the Isle of Wight to see relatives, who recently moved into the rural property to the north of Whitwell.
UPDATE @ 17:53 – The incident is now drawing to a close with emergency services standing down.
In total more than 20 firefighters from Shanklin, Newport and Ryde have been involved in the operation.
