A HOMELESS man sleeping rough in a large water pipe was rescued when he became unable to move.

Firefighters and ambulance crews came to the aid of the 44-year-old man shortly before 10pm last night and found in the stretch of culvert behind the Princess Royal Hospital, Lewes Road in Haywards Heath.

The casualty was believed to have been living rough in the structure which carries water underneath roads and other obstructions when he became ill and unable to move.

A West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said “Two fire crews from Haywards Heath were at the scene within minutes of the 999 call being received.

“Working alongside South East Coast Ambulance Service's Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) in dark and slippery conditions, firefighters used a rope and ladder system and a stretcher to rescue the man and bring him up the steep-sided bank to safety.

“He was conscious and breathing and was treated at the scene by paramedics and subsequently taken to hospital.”