A DRUNKEN man was recovering in hospital yesterday after falling down a 25ft railway embankment.

The incident happened at 8.20pm on Sunday, when the man, from Hartlepool, fell from a wall in the town's Lancaster Road, to the railway line below.

Police, ambulance and fire crews were called to the accident, where the man was found with two broken wrists. He was taken to Hartlepool General Hospital, where he was kept in for observation.

Detective Sergeant Tony Green said: "He has been very lucky as there were no trains due at that time and he also escaped with minor injuries.

"He could also have ended up having to suffer a traumatic amputation.