Derry firemen break strike to help crash victims

Striking firemen in Derry broke their own picket overnight to rush to the aid of five people injured in a road accident close to the city's main fire station.

Two cars collided head-on close to the Northland Road station and the firefighters didn't hesitate to give first aid.

A man, a woman and a young boy were injured in one vehicle, while two men were injured in the second. All five were subsequently hospitalised.

Local fire officer Peter McDaid said he did not consider the firemen's actions a breach of their strike and described the aid provided as an instinctive reaction.

Elsewhere, a huge number of hoax callers continued to plague the British soldiers who are providing a skeleton fire service during the Fire Brigade Union's 48-hour strike.