A MAN who got stuck in a catflap was one of hundreds of 999 call outs for Devon and Somerset’s firefighters who rescued people trapped in a variety of circumstances over the past three years.

Unbelievably, another adventurer rivalled the man’s ridiculous antics by somehow getting a ring stuck on his genitals.

Other unusual rescues include one man trapped in a child’s swing and another man who became trapped in the footwell of his car.

In 2012/13, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service say there were 125 call- outs to rescue or release people and 59 occasions where objects were needed to be removed from someone.

Each rescue mission costs at least £300 to deal with, meaning, in 2012/13 alone, rescues have set the taxpayer back at least £50,000.

A spokesman for the fire service said: “We are here to help but some of the incidents our firefighters are called out could be prevented.

“While firefighters are attending to these incidents, they could be delayed getting to a more serious incident elsewhere.”

In 2011/12, there were 233 people rescued after being trapped and 70 call-outs to remove objects from people, while in 2010/11 when there were 249 incidents of people rescued and 97 cases where firefighters were need to remove objects from people.

In the last three years, the service’s fire crews have been called out to hundreds of incidents including:

  •  Two incidents involving people being trapped in handcuffs;
  • Four incidents involving people being stuck in the bath;
  • Two instances involving people with their hands trapped in letterboxes;
  • An eight-year-old girl trapped her arm in a vending machine;
  • One man trapped his arm inside a pool table;
  • One man trapped his testicle in a shower chair;
  • One man trapped his hand in a bread machine;
  • One woman who trapped her fingers in a pair of scissors;
  • Several teenagers removed from child’s swings;
  • One woman who was stuck in a trampoline;
  • Dozens of incidents involving people with rings being stuck on their fingers;
  • Several incidents involving people stuck up a tree.

If you’re brave enough to own up to being involved in any of the above, and fancy sharing your story, get in touch on newsdesk@countygazette.co.uk or call 01823-365100.