Video: man becomes trapped in traffic bollard

Ricky Alridge became trapped after placing the road fixture on his head as a practical joke in Hemel Hempstead on Sunday.

The construction worker was stuck for two hours until police came to his rescue.

Footage of the hapless 24-year-old stumbling around inside the container was broadcast across news channels this morning after racking up thousands of views on YouTube.

He said: “It’s a bit strange to see how famous I have become overnight. I can’t believe how much it’s blown up.

“Me and my friend were walking home from a friend’s house and discussing how funny it would be to find a bollard and get it stuck on your head.

“I put the bollard on my head and we walked through town.

“I wasn’t worried about it coming off, I thought it had to come off at some way and it was a good laugh.

“It was a bit strange being inside the bollard when I could hear people talking about me and not being able to see me. I think some people were a bit concerned.

The 24-year-old said he was suprised that no one came to his aid as he staggered about the main street.

“It was just a practical joke – I wasn’t expecting the police to be called and thought maybe we had taken it a bit far when they turned up,” Ricky said.

“My friend was trying to get people to help me get the bollard off my head, and it’s amazing that no-one really came to help.

“It was a struggle free myself but I was OK afterwards, it just dented my pride a little bit!

“All my friends knew it was me – it’s one of the sort of things that I would do. I’m a bit of a joker.

“I think my bollard days are definitely over now, any more bollard fun wouldn’t be anywhere near as entertaining!”

At the end of the clip, the man behind the camera can be heard saying: “You’re going on YouTube.”