CHESHIRE Fire and Rescue Service is to review the provision of equipment on fire engines following the tragic incident last month when a 72-year-old woman died after her car plunged into the Manchester Ship Canal at Stockton Heath.
But local councillor Mike Biggin – a member of the Cheshire Fire Authority – says he is absolutely confident Cheshire has the very best equipped and train firefighters in the UK and that Warrington has the best water rescue capability in the service area.
The tragedy occurred on March 12 when a car driven by great grandmother Valerie Pritchard, of Grappenhall, crashed through metal railings in Ellesmere Road, Stockton Heath and fell into the canal.
A police officer and a member of the public made vain attempts to rescue her from the car.
Cllr Biggin said the fire and rescue service was called at 16.00 hours and deployed four appliances, a boat and an aerial platform.
An appliance from Stockton Heath was at the scene in just over five minutes and the boat arrived within seven minutes.
Cllr Biggin said: “As you can imagine, one of the first operations was to assist the would-be rescuers – a policeman and a member of the public – to safety whilst preparing the appropriate procedures.
“A swift water trained firefighter entered the water immediately but clearly it is 10 metres or so deep at this point so a further two swift water technicians were deployed with the raft.
“The boat was launched using the aerial appliance due to the banks being so steep and the Police Diving Team joined the operation.
“The service is to review the provision of equipment as a result of this incident and will consider whether sledges or rafts could be added to each appliance along with water trained personnel.
“ My personal view is that this would be preferable to a further boat which isn’t really suitable for rapid deployment and, anyway, it arrived remarkably quickly from its base in Warrington.”
Cllr Biggin is to attend a training session with crews in the near future so he has a clearer understanding of the capability of their work.
He added: “As a member of the fire authority I am absolutely confident that we have the very best equipped and trained firefighters in the UK which is endorsed by our national awards in that respect and authority members are party to continuous reviews and improvements in provision across Cheshire.
“Indeed Warrington has the best water rescue capability in the service area which will be further augmented with the possible addition of rafts.”
Pictured: The canal at the scene of the tragedy and (right) Cllr Mike Biggin.
