Kirby Misperton 60ft fracking rig protester 'scared of heights'

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View from the top of a rigImage source, Protesters
Image caption,
Protesters filmed themselves at the top of the fracking rig in Kirby Misperton on Saturday

One of three protesters who scaled a 60ft high fracking rig said he only remembered he was afraid of heights when he got up there.

Two men and a woman climbed to the top of the site at Kirby Misperton in North Yorkshire in the early hours of Saturday.

Three people have since been arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass and criminal damage.

The 29-year-old protester said the three "just went for it, we just ran".

The protester, who asked not to be named, added: "I was in front, I just climbed up as fast as I could and pulled the bag up after me.

"I got to the top and remembered I was petrified of heights."

Safety harnesses

He said he was arrested on Saturday afternoon when he climbed down from the rig.

A 28-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman are in custody after they were "helped down safely from the hydraulic rig by police officers working on the site" on Sunday morning, North Yorkshire Police said.

The pair were given safety harnesses by police while they remained on top of the platform.

Third Energy was given planning permission to operate on the site in May 2016. It has not received final consent to begin fracking but expects to start before the end of the year.

Fracking is the process of drilling down into the earth before a high-pressure water mixture is directed at rock to release the gas inside.

Opponents say it can cause water contamination, earthquakes and vehicles going to and from the site could lead to noise and traffic pollution.

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