A firefighter broke his legs in more than a dozen places after being trapped under a car in a training exercise.

The firefighter, from Stockton Fire Station, was taking part in a simulated road traffic collision with colleagues when the incident happened on October 19, 2020.

The crew attempted to put a car on its side to perform a ‘roof flap’ procedure where the roof structure is removed, and used hydraulics to raise the car off the ground.

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But was the crew tried to push the car on its side it fell back down towards them, hitting the firefighter and trapping him under the chassis, causing serious injuries.

He was left with fractures to his left fibula and tibia, an open fracture and dislocation to his left ankle, and 12 fractures to his right leg and foot.

He spent two weeks in hospital as a result of his injuries.

On Wednesday (December 7) the Cleveland Fire Authority was fined after pleading guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act.

The fire authority was ordered to pay £600, and £7,304 in costs by Teesside Magistrates’ Court.

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An investigation into the accident by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the authority had not assessed the risks of the activity and failed to implement a documented safe system of work.

HSE inspector Clare Maltby said: “All organisations have a duty to risk assess their work activities and implement appropriate safe systems of work.

“This is a reminder to all fire authorities that pre-planned drill exercises should be assessed and the hazards identified and the risks controlled.”

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