Girl gets stuck in storm drain in iPhone search

A schoolgirl got stuck in a storm drain while trying to retrieve her new mobile phone.

Firefighters with Ella Birchenough who tried  and failed  to fish out her dropped phone. Picture: PA

Ella Birchenough, 16, tried to fish her two-week-old iPhone 5s from the drain using her feet after it slipped from her grasp in Dover, Kent.

But she became stuck fast in front of a group of onlookers, including her mother, Joanne Birchenough.

Firefighters eventually had to be called to ease Ella out of the tight spot – as images became a hit on social media.

Mrs Birchenough joked that she will be bringing out the pictures of Ella waist-deep in the drain on her 18th birthday and wedding day. And she said the schoolgirl’s efforts proved to be in vain – because the phone is broken.

Taxi firm worker Mrs Birchenough, 36, said: “When I saw her it made me laugh. She is upset about her phone, but at the end of the day at least she’s alright.”

Ella said: “I just needed somebody to help lift me out but my mum got all panicky.”

A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said one fire engine was sent to deal with the incident on Wednesday evening.