Handcuff headache prompts a rescue call
Published: January 3, 2007
It was just one of the unusual emergencies tackled by firefighters
A man trapped in handcuffs, someone stuck in a swamp and a pony in a swimming pool were among the more unusual calls for help that Beds and Luton Fire and Rescue Service received in the last three months.
A report to Beds and Luton Combined Fire Authority outlined the major fires and other emergencies that firefighters dealt with, as well as noting the rescues that have taken place.
Among them was a man who reported to Luton Fire Station in Studley Road on September 20 at 6.40pm and asked firefighters to release him from a pair of handcuffs.
Earlier in the month another man had to be pulled from a swamp in Ampthill Park in the middle of the night.
And it was not just humans that needed to be rescued – firefighters also saved a pony that had fallen into a swimming pool.
Its owner wrote to thank the rescue team and noted that the pony and its companion, both retired showjumpers, had probably escaped from their field with the help of troublemakers who were being investigated by the police.
Rescue pumps from Luton, Stopsley and Dunstable with the aerial platform from Luton, the emergency rescue unit from Stopsley, the water carrier from Toddington and a foam unit from Bucks all sprang into action when a Cessna jet with hydraulics failure carrying two people overshot the runway at Luton Airport in September.
No-one was hurt or trapped during the incident.
The senior investigation officer for HM Revenue and Customs Criminal Investigations wrote to thank officers for their assistance during the course of Operation Cowling, a major investigation into fuel laundering in Luton, Bedford and London.
He said: “The assistance with entry to, making safe and dealing with a sophisticated oil laundering plant, equipment and associated chemicals was gratefully appreciated.
“Revenue and Customs were not aware of the nature of the site prior to entry and the professional approach by the fire service officers in attendance ensured the safety of all persons at the site. It allowed for the prompt and safe removal of all equipment at the site and was of great assistance with resourcing and logistics.”
Away from airport emergencies and fuel laundering, there has also been time for helping the community, with firefighters attending school and church fetes throughout the county.
The headteacher of Stopsley Primary School thanked Stopsley Blue Watch for moving benches in the school playground.
He said: “The children have been asking for more places to sit away from the hustle of playground games and we can now provide them with a place to sit in peace and safety. As you know, the benches in question were very heavy and far too bulky to shift, so we are grateful that you could come and help us.”
And the chairman of the Bedford Model Engineering Society thanked Station Commander Adams and the Biggleswade team for helping to fill a portable model boating pond which had been donated just a day before the start of the National Model Engineering Rally.
The firefighters stepped in to help after hearing that the nearest tap was half a mile away from where the boating pond had been set up.
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