2008 Scottish Firefighter Death Result of Burnt Toast

Shan Ross
The Scotsman

A fireman killed on the way to a 999 call was responding to a false alarm caused by burning toast, a fatal accident inquiry heard.

John Noble, a watch manager at Alloa Fire Station, died when the fire engine careered off the A91 near Tillicoultry and ploughed into trees at the side of the road. It was on its way to a callout at a primary school in Dollar, Clackmannanshire.

Nicola Cunningham, 32, a catering assistant at Strathdevon Primary School in Dollar, told the inquiry: "Somebody had burnt toast and that's what set the alarm off."

Mr Noble, 46, who was married with two children, had been a firefighter for 22 years. Earlier, the engine's driver, Christopher Robb, 27, broke down in tears as he told the inquiry about the crash.

Mr Robb said they were driving at around 40mph as they approached the bend where the crash occurred. But as he tried to turn the Volvo truck's steering wheel, there was no response.

Mr Robb said the engine carried "straight on" and mounted the grass verge before the left hand side of the cab impacted head on with the trees.

Mr Robb, who emerged unhurt from the crash, said: "It was just the loudest bang I have ever heard. There was an unbelievable force of impact.

"I could hear hissing and smell the vehicle fluids and fuel. I looked across to see John, but the cab was round about my head - it was all metal and roof lining. The side of the cab had been compressed. I got out and went to the back of the cab.

"I remember shouting for John and went round to the front side to see if he was all right. John was still in his seat. He was trapped in there. I got another firefighter to get John upright."

Mr Robb said he went to the back again where one man was on the floor, another on the seats and where firefighter Alan Robertson was saying he couldn't feel his legs.

Mr Robb said another appliance drew up and he told one of the other men to look after Mr Robertson before going back into the front.

Fiscal depute Aileen Gordon asked Mr Robb: "Were you aware whether he [Mr Noble] was still alive or not?"

Breaking down in tears Mr Robb replied: "I think it was just hope that he was still alive. He was trapped in the cab and couldn't get out. We got some equipment from another appliance and got him out, then tried to resuscitate him. I was taken away at that point."

Mr Noble's widow, Lorraine, sobbed as evidence was given.

Mr Robertson, 29, who suffered serious injuries in the smash, said the accident occurred three or four minutes after leaving the fire station.

"Initially I felt the appliance start to slide, and I heard someone shouting - then I could see the tree. My last memory is hearing the windscreen cracking."

Firefighter Alan Huntley, 41, who suffered head injuries, said: "I remember there being nothing untoward - but very, very quickly I had the feeling we had lost the front end.

"There was a massive understeer and in a split second the nearside front wheels had gone off into the verge, and a second later or so we hit the trees."

The inquiry, before Sheriff David Mackie at Alloa Sheriff Court, continues.

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