Fireman denies death crash charge

Mr Robertson was driving to an emergency call

A firefighter has gone on trial accused of killing a motorist after ignoring a red light while on a 999 call.

Ian Robertson, 43, denies causing death by dangerous driving after his fire engine collided with a car on the A57 in Eccles, Greater Manchester.

Manchester's Minshull St Crown Court heard father-of-two Philip Yates, 39, died in hospital on 26 January 2004.

The prosecution alleges Mr Robertson, of Alderbank Close, Kearsley, was driving too fast.

The jury heard Mr Robertson, who has worked as a firefighter for 15 years, was responding to an emergency at the Astley Court care home in Irlam when the crash happened just after noon.

'Dangerous speed'

He had activated the fire engine's siren and blue lights and had slowed down to 40 or 50mph as he approached the traffic lights which were changing from green to red, the court heard.

The vehicle struck Mr Yates' red Escort which was turning right onto the main road.

Witnesses said his car had stopped beyond the white road markings moments before the collision.

Philip Yates died in Salford's Hope Hospital

Ian Metcalfe, prosecuting, said: "[Mr Robinson's] progress through this red light at the speed at which he was travelling was dangerous.

"That is self evident, given the extent of the damage to the red Escort and more pointedly given the fatal injuries sustained by Mr Yates.

"In these circumstances the Crown submits the defendant did indeed, to any objective standard, drive in a manner that fell far below that which would be expected of a competent and careful driver."

Mr Robertson had told police that as he approached the junction he could see Mr Yates' car and other vehicles waiting there but then Mr Yates's car pulled out in front of him and there was nothing he could do to avoid a collision.

Emergency services answering 999 calls are allowed to treat red lights as a give way sign.

The case continues.