By FireRescue1 Staff
YOUNG, Australia — A firefighter is challenging a parking ticket he received while rescuing a worker who had fallen down a bank.
The Land reported that firefighter Luke Crum was issued a $199 fine for parking in a no-stopping zone while rescuing a worker who had “suspected neck and spinal injuries.”
“He fell down an almost vertical bank and hit rocks on the way down,” Crum said. “It was a 104-degree day so we had to move him quickly with the paramedics and it was tricky due to where he was, the ambulance couldn’t get close to him, so we had to carry him out.”
“I was issued a $199 fine and it was for disobeying a no-stopping sign at the Lynch Street Fire Station,” Crum added. “The nose of my car was in the fire rescue parking zone because when we are at a fire call that we’ve been called to as an emergency, we nose into the gutter so that it’s a quicker response time.”
Crum said he has a large sticker on his vehicle that shows he is a firefighter.
“I shouldn’t have to pay because I was rescuing someone, I was doing my community a service, and this is pretty poor form from the council,” he said.
Councilman Anthony McMahon said there is “sufficient evidence” that Crum deserved the ticket.
“While I empathize with the fact that you had difficulties in locating suitable parking, it does not negate the fact that an offence had been committed,” McMahon said. “All drivers regardless of their position or roles within the local community must comply with the Australian Road Rules and whilst I can understand your frustration, council is required to enforce these rules.”