Dad and son get stuck in the mud

Firefighters and paramedics had to be called after a man carrying his three-year-old son on his shoulders got stuck in mud on Toftwood Fen.The emergency services were called at about 7.

Firefighters and paramedics had to be called after a man carrying his three-year-old son on his shoulders got stuck in mud on Toftwood Fen.

The emergency services were called at about 7.10pm on Friday night to the land between the Middlemarch Road estate and Stone Road after a call that the man was in trouble.

Fire crews from Dereham, Watton and Norwich and ambulance service personnel attended.

Station manager Mark Richardson, of Dereham Fire Station, said: 'The father was up to his knees in mud and was scared to get himself out because he had his son on his shoulders. The little boy didn't speak at all. Once we got his son off his shoulders he felt more comfortable to move and got himself out with a fireman on each arm. I don't think the father realised the ground was so soft. It is a really nice piece of land but if you go off the path it gets really boggy.'

Ambulance staff checked the man and his son and they were able to go home.

Mr Richardson said: 'They were fine. It was just a case of sheer panic. Once we got to him it was over in five minutes. It just goes to show if there is a footpath you should stick to it.'