Firefighter dies in engine crash

Mr Noble was based at Alloa Fire Station

A firefighter has died and three others have been injured after a fire engine crashed in Clackmannanshire.

John Noble, 46, died when the fire appliance left the A91 road between Tillicoultry and Dollar at about 1330 GMT and struck a tree.

The crew had been responding to an automatic call from a primary school, which turned out to be a false alarm.

Firefighter Alan Robertson was also seriously injured in the crash and two others suffered minor injuries.

Mr Robertson was airlifted to Glasgow's Southern General.

The other two officers are being treated at Stirling Royal Infirmary.

One firefighter in the appliance was uninjured.

An investigation has been launched into the crash.

The road was closed in both directions for about seven hours.

We are shocked and our thoughts are with the crew and their families Central Scotland Fire and Rescue

Mr Noble, from Alloa, had more than 20 years' experience as a firefighter. He leaves a wife and two children.

Colleagues expressed their shock and sadness at news of the "experienced and popular" firefighter's death.

Mr Noble had recently returned from a two-week intensive urban search and rescue course in Texas.

He was one of only 22 firefighters in the UK certified as structural collapse technicians following the course.

The accident happened close to the Harviestoun Country Hotel on the outskirts of Tillicoultry. The area is a notorious accident blackspot.

The appliance was responding to an automatic fire alarm at Strathdevon Primary School in Dollar. The call turned out to be a false alarm.

The road was closed for about seven hours

Arie Rodenburg, owner of the nearby Hillfoots Garden Centre and Golf Driving Range, said: "We just heard a big noise. We can't get near the scene because the road is closed.

"There were loads of fire engines, ambulances and police cars there and even a helicopter."

Chief Fire Officer Steven Torrie said: "Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service is a small service and a close-knit community and we are all absolutely devastated by this loss and extremely concerned about our injured colleagues.

"The thoughts of every single member of this service are with the firefighter's family and the families of our injured colleagues - this is a tragic day for our service."