FIREFIGHTERS had a race against time to rescue a teenager who got stuck in the mud near a Hampshire river after celebrating getting into university.

Crews have revealed that a young man who had fallen down a slope and was found unconscious and stuck in the mud was half an hour away from drowning.

The young man was discovered by firefighters from St Mary’s and Redbridge last night after it is believed he had been out drinking and celebrating his A Level results with friends near Bitterne Triangle.

St Mary’s watch manager Tim Harrison said that crews were called at 10.45pm to the scene near Riverside Park and when they arrived they were treating the young man for suspected spinal injuries and hypothermia.

South Central Ambulance medics and the hazardous area response team were also called to the scene and worked with firefighters to get the young man up off the bank using mud rescue paths quickly before the tide came in.

Watch manager Harrison said: “When we arrived at the scene he appeared to be unconscious and in an awkward position on the bank.

"Luckily the tide wasn’t yet in or I suspect he would have drowned.

"We rescued him with about half an hour to spare.

“When crews got down to him we realised he wasn’t unconscious and began getting him back up onto the bank.”

A firefighter from Redbridge station said it is believed the young man had been walking past the bank near Bitterne Park School and had slipped and fell down a muddy slope, injuring himself on the way down.

The nature of his injuries is not yet known but they are believed to be minor, although ambulance crews took the young man to hospital as soon as he was up on the bank.

A crew from Cosham Fire Station was also called to the scene.

Group manager Jason Avery wrote on social media: "Take care folks if out and about late by water."

Watch manager Harrison is now urging people to be careful if they plan on drinking near areas of water.

He added: “The day of celebrating his A Levels this young man narrowly escaped drowning and we would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to be careful if they plan on drinking near areas of water and mud.

"It is important to think of your safety and not drink to excess if you are near water.”