Firefighter relives crash that killed his friend

Graeme Donohoe A firefighter rowing the Atlantic in memory of a colleague killed responding to a 999 call has opened his heart on the dramatic crash for the first time.

Allan Huntly and fellow firefighter Kris Elliot will take on the epic 3000-mile Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge next year in tribute to their watch manager John Noble.

The 46- year- old dad of two died when the fire engine he was travelling in skidded on diesel and smashed into a tree on the A91 near Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire, in January 2008.

Survivor Allan – who suffered a broken ankle, broken shoulder and fractured skull in the crash – hopes the Atlantic adventure will raise more than £ 40,000 for The Fire Fighters Charity.

The Stirling-based firefighters have named their specially built 23ft rowing boat Team Noble in honour of John.

And Allan, 48, from Bridge of Allan , said: “The race sets off in December 2017 and we’ ll be at sea for the 10th anniversary of John’s death.

“His death shocked everyone. We spoke to his wife Lorraine and explained we wanted to do this in Johnny’s memory. He was a really good guy and the family gave us their blessing to name the team after him.”

Allan tries to live life to the max after surviving the accident.

Heartbreakingly, the fire engine was racing to what turned out to be a false alarm at a school caused by burnt toast.

Allan said: “It was a false alarm but it’s just one of those things.

“We were in the appliance heading out to a call in Dollar and we skidded on diesel and hit a tree.

“The crew cab just disintegrated. The tree came in from the passenger side diagonally across the cab and there was just nothing left of it.

“I was able to walk away from it – not that I can remember any of it – but I still got a broken shoulder, a broken ankle and a fractured skull.”

It wasn’t the first time tragedy had rocked Allan’s life.

Amazingly, he will take to the e water for his Atlantic adventure despite the sea claiming the life of his father Joe in a diving accident, aged just 37.

Dad- of-two Allan said: “You could sit at home and not do anything but that’s not what myy dad was about and it’s not what I’mm about. A lot of people might be putut off and err on the side of caution butut you’ve got to live your life.

“I was just three when my dad died. It’s rubbish. Even at this age, I miss him as much as I did then. I NorthN Atlantic Ocean