Missing teen rescued from building top

A highly critical report by the NIAO has found several governance issues that need to be addressed by the fire service and Department of Public Safety.

Police and the carers of Chantelle Lewis (17) from Portadown had been increasingly worried about her safety after she disappeared four days earlier.

The emergency services received reports in the early hours of Sunday morning that a girl was on the roof of a multi-storey building in Victoria Street.

Fire crews, who arrived at the scene shortly after 1.30am, were unable to see Chantelle due to the size of the building.

To locate her, a thermal image camera was attached to a hydraulic platform which was brought in from Portadown.

A specialist rescue team from Belfast was also called in to assist.

Chantelle was taken by ambulance to Craigavon Area Hospital where she was examined and remained under observation for several hours. She has since left the hospital.

Fire chief Victor Spence said: “Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service received a call from the Police at approximately 1:30am reporting that a female was stuck on a roof of a building in Victoria Street.

“On arrival the fire crews were informed that a female was on a roof. Due to the size of the building a Hydraulic Platform from Portadown and the Specialist Rescue Team from Belfast were mobilised to assist in the search.

“Using a thermal image camera from the Hydraulic Platform the female was located. The 16 year old female was then rescue by fire service personnel using a ladder. The fire crews provided first aid to the female who had sustained a cut to her head until the arrival of the ambulance.”

Police and the carers of the 17-year-old girl issued an appeal on Saturday as they became increasingly concerned for her welfare.

Chantelle was last seen at around 6.30pm on the evening of Wednesday, April 10 in the Lurgan area.