Off-duty firefighter shortlisted for national award after Keswick bus tragedy

Oct 30 2011 by Sara Nichol, Sunday Sun

A FIREFIGHTER is to be recognised for his off-duty heroics at the scene of a horrific bus smash.

Mike Barton was directly behind the school bus carrying pupils home one summer afternoon in Keswick, Cumbria, when an on-coming car suddenly drifted onto the wrong side of the road.

What happened next will forever remain etched on the firefighter’s memory as the single decker bus ploughed into the vehicle, killing three people and seriously injuring dozens others.

Kieran Goulding, 15, and Chloe Walker, 16, died when the bus, which was taking them home from Keswick School, smashed into Patrick Short’s car, sliding across the carriageway, overturning and hitting a tree.

Both pupils were flung through the window and were swept under the bus before it came to rest. Parish councillor Mr Short, 68, died instantly on impact.

But, while others were overwhelmed with the scene of carnage unfolding before them, off-duty Mr Barton quickly jumped into action, immediately starting the rescue process while waiting for his on-duty colleagues from the emergency services to arrive.

His actions have earned him a place on the shortlist for national firefighter of the year, and now he spoken of that horrific day in May last year.

Mike, 45, who has been with Cumbria Fire and Rescue for 24 years, said: “I was actually on modified duties at the time because I was recovering from a hand operation.

“I was driving back from headquarters on my own in a van when it happened directly in front of me.

“I was first on the scene, which was obviously horrific, but I just went into auto-mode and did my job.

“I knew it was a serious incident but you have to keep calm, act quickly and do the best you can.

“I had assistance very quickly and I just carried on helping in any way I could.

“I don’t think I really did much. I don’t think I did anything special ... it was just me doing my job.