A young girl was freed after becoming trapped beneath rocks for more than three hours at a popular beauty spot in blazing heat – thanks to a bottle of Fairy Liquid.
Emergency crews were called to Hound Tor, Dartmoor, Devon on Tuesday afternoon after reports a child had become stuck while exploring.
The 10-year-old had slipped while making her way through a narrow tunnel system and became wedged between rocks beneath one of the main rock formations, trapping her thigh.
READ MORE: Brits warned as dangerous 100ft-long Portuguese man o’war washes up on UK beach
Firefighters arrived to find rescuers already working to comfort and stabilise the youngster as specialist teams were called in.
A painstaking operation then unfolded as multiple emergency services battled hot and difficult conditions to free her, as reported by Need To Know.
Devon Cave Rescue Organisation was requested by police to provide additional assistance, joining crews from Dartmoor Search and Rescue, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, HART and Devon Air Ambulance.
Specialist teams carefully assessed the situation and developed a rescue plan.
Using technical equipment, rescuers managed to move the girl slightly, but it was not enough to free her.
Crews then used a bottle of Fairy Liquid to help ease her from the tight gap.
After more than three hours, the youngster was finally freed.
Despite the ordeal, she escaped with only minor bumps and scratches.
She was assessed by ambulance crews at the scene before walking off the hill and later posing for a selfie with the teams who helped rescue her.
A spokesperson for Dartmoor Search and Rescue said: “We were called following the report of a child trapped in rocks on Hound Tor.
“A 10-year-old child had slipped whilst moving down between rocks and was trapped under one of the main blocks on Hound Tor.
“Her leg was trapped but uninjured.
“Her group leaders had done everything possible to try and free her.
“Using our specialist kit, we were able to move her a few inches, but not enough to extricate her, so we called on the services of one of our sister teams, Devon Cave Rescue Organisation.
“With their additional expertise and the combined efforts of our teams and some washing up liquid to ease the way – we were able to free the child, who had remained in good spirits.
“She had been trapped for around four hours, but was well enough to walk away after further assessment.
“This was a fantastic piece of multi-agency work and a real testament to the skills and professionalism of the volunteer and statutory agencies involved.”
READ MORE: Water company slammed as British surfing event ‘abruptly’ shut down due to SEWAGE spill
