UK fire chief explains decision in fatal pit response

By Paul Drury
The Daily Star

STRATHCLYDE, Scotland — A senior fire officer yesterday revealed why he stopped efforts to rescue a woman trapped down a pit shaft.

Paul Stewart, a group commander with Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, refused to allow a paramedic into the hole to treat Alison Hume, 44 — even though he was ready to go.

Twenty firefighters had already been told that, because of health and safety regulations, they could not use their own equipment to save Mrs Hume, who was heard screaming for help for six hours.

Mr Stewart, 38, told a fatal accident inquiry at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court:

"I spoke to the paramedic and asked him if he was trained to work at height, or in confined spaces or familiar with any fire and rescue kit. The answer to all of those questions was that he was not trained in any of them.

"I explained, as the officer in charge, I could not let him access an area like that without appropriate training or equipment."

Mr Stewart had arrived at the scene in Galston, Ayrshire, in July 2008, to take care of media duties, but when he found himself the senior officer, he took command.

Earlier, the FAI was halted after Group Commander Freddie Howe, 54, broke down while giving evidence.

When she was finally lifted out of the shaft, Mrs Hume was flown by helicopter to Kilmarnock's Crosshouse Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. The inquiry continues.

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