Airport fire truck rolls, 3 firefighters onboard escape injury

The Western Morning News 

EXETER, England — Three firefighters escaped injury after a fire engine overturned on the runway at Exeter Airport yesterday.

It is thought the vehicle might have taken a corner too quickly but the cause of the incident was still under investigation last night.

The fire engine was undertaking a "routine" manoeuvre at the eastern end of the runway yesterday afternoon when the vehicle ran into trouble and landed on its side.

The firefighters were examined by paramedics at the scene of the incident at 3.40pm, but did not require medical treatment. Some flights were delayed by up 90 minutes before a crane was brought in to move the vehicle, which had been blocking the runway.

Two aircraft on the runaway at the time were able to take-off after a slight delay.

Stephen Ayres, communications manager for Exeter International Airport, said: "This kind of incident can happen when large, heavy vehicles are doing routine manoeuvres. "It was cornering at the eastern end of the runway and may, possibly, have taken the corner too fast."

Dozens of passengers faced inbound and outbound delays at the airport.

Two inbound flights from Manchester and Belfast were delayed by 90 minutes and 30 minutes respectively.

An outbound flight to the Channel Islands was held-up by 50 minutes.

Flights were due to fully return to normal yesterday evening after the runway was cleared. Mr Ayres added: "I am pleased to say delays were not severe and we expect everything to return to normal later."

Copyright 2013 Western Morning News (Plymouth)

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