Fitness fan nearly died after skipping rope wrapped around his neck while doing pull-ups

A man nearly died in a freak accident when a skipping rope got wrapped around his neck while he did pull-ups in a park.

Luckily the fitness fanatic, who was in his 20s, was spotted by members of the public after he got tangled in the rope which was tied to a tree in Highbury Park, Birmingham.

Two police officers who were patrolling the park looking for people with knives raced to help him as he struggled to breathe on Thursday evening (1 July).

PCs Alfie Ratcliffe and Tom Dale managed to free the man and gave him first aid until paramedics arrived.

He was rushed to hospital but is not believed to have suffered any permanent damage.

Inspector Neil Kirkpatrick, of West Midlands Police, said: "I am so relieved to hear the man was brought to safety so quickly.

"This is exactly why as police officers we do what we do.

"Our number one priority is to protect life, and the quick-thinking actions of the member of the public, along with the actions of our officers, really did just that.

"I want to thank the member of public for calling us so quickly and we wish the man all the best as he recovers."