Firefighters free penis from pipe

SOUTHAMPTON, England, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- British firefighters called to a hospital said they spent 30 minutes using a metal grinder to free a man's penis from a steel pipe.

The Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service crew said they were called to England's Southampton General Hospital Tuesday morning to use the 4 1/2-inch grinder to cut through the pipe without damaging the man's sex organ, The Sun reported Thursday.

Hospital staff said they were unable to remove the pipe without assistance because the blood flow in the man's penis had become restricted and caused him to become aroused. Doctors said the man's penis was bruised and swollen after the operation but he did not suffer any serious or permanent injuries.

Firefighters said the man declined to explain how his penis had become stuck in the pipe.

"It was a very delicate operation that required a very steady hand and the crew was worried about things getting too hot during the cutting," a Fire and Rescue spokesman said. "It's certainly an unusual call-out and I'm sure the man won't be getting into that situation again."