Fire engine skidded on fuel spill

John Noble was a front seat passenger at the time of the crash

A fireman's widow has broken down in tears after watching a video of the scene of her husband's death.

A fatal accident inquiry into the death of Alloa fire station watch manager John Noble heard the vehicle crashed because of a diesel spill.

The 46-year-old firefighter was a front seat passenger and died at the scene near Tillicoultry.

He and colleagues were travelling to a primary school alarm triggered by burnt toast.

The inquiry being held at Alloa Sheriff Court had to be adjourned for 15 minutes after Mr Noble's wife Lorraine was overcome with grief as the video was shown.

The video showed the damaged engine lodged in trees beside the twisting A91.

Firemen's breathing apparatus was seen strewn across the road, while a large branch from the tree could be seen where it had fallen on impact.

The vehicle had been driven by 27-year-old fireman Christopher Robb. Pc Adam Weir told the court that no blame could be attached to Mr Robb's driving.

Pc Weir added: "When I arrived at the scene I noticed there were oily deposits on the road surface.

"The right hand bend where the fire engine had lost control was extremely slidey.

The inquiry heard how the road was slippery with spilt diesel

"The appliance slid into the right hand bend and onto the verge.

"Due to the soft verge he would have been unable to steer."

He went on: "I didn't think the driver was in any way responsible."

The inquiry heard the diesel was probably spilled from an overfilled fuel tank or a jerrycan on the back of a works pick-up only minutes before the crash.

The vehicle responsible has never been traced.

Crash scene investigator Pc Ewan Kidd said: "The conclusion we came to was that the fire tender lost traction with the road surface as a result of contamination on the road surface.

"It left the road, and the tyres dug into the verge, making it impossible to steer back out.

"It then collided with the trees."

Aileen Gordon, depute fiscal, asked him: "In your view, would there have been anything the driver could have done on encountering that bend with that contamination?"

PC Kidd replied: "I don't believe he could have done anything."

Paramedic Steven Morgan, who arrived at the scene 15 minutes after the crash, said Mr Noble appeared already dead.

He said: "At first glance he didn't look alive. He was very still. He did not have a pulse.

"I put the pads of my defibrillator on his chest to check if there was any electrical activity in his heart, but he flatlined."

The inquiry, before Sheriff David Mackie, is being held in a bid to discover if any defect in the system of working operated by Central Scotland Fire and Rescue contributed to Mr Noble's death.

It is expected to conclude next week.