The parachutist who crashed into the David Fishwick Stand housing Town fans at Saturday's game at Burnley escaped with only cuts and bruises. The incident caused the kick-off to be held up by 51 minutes.

The member of the Parachute Regiment's Red Devils, the seventh and final jumper in windy conditions, has been named only as Ben.

Town supporters sitting in the right of the stand as you look at the pitch were alerted to the incident by a loud crashing sound and a falling of debris from the roof in the far left corner as Ben failed to join his six comrades on the Turf Moor pitch.

The game was held up for safety reasons and calls were made for owners of cars to move their vehicles from areas where fire crews required access. Eventually an aerial platform ladder was brought in from Accrington to remove Ben shortly before half-time, to applause from home fans in the adjacent James Hargreaves Stand.

Burnley fire station manager Dave Jackson said Ben was expecting rough treatment from his more successful comrades: "He was very embarrassed when we got him down and his colleagues were waiting for him.

"With it being Burnley's first game of the season at home the crowd weren't very happy with it being delayed.

"But they gave a big cheer when he was helped down and I'm sure it all raised a few smiles."

Photo: Action Images

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