THREE Bury firefighters are to blaze a trail in Australia in a championship competition.

Assistant Divisional Officer Martin Ward and firemen Tom Hague and Austin Holden together with two other firemen from Greater Manchester County Fire Service - the current British Champions - will represent Great Britain in the 12th annual International Extrication Challenge in Melbourne on September 3 and 4.

The British team will face two mock road traffic accidents as well as stiff competition from firefighters from 30 countries. They will rescue a trapped driver from a car using the latest hi-tech equipment and rescue a trapped motorist from a crushed vehicle using basic hand-held tools.

Each team will have 20 minutes per challenge to impress judges who will be marking the teams on casualty care, technique and safety.

Team captain Martin Ward said: "We beat 36 teams from around Great Britain at the British National Extrication Challenge to earn the chance to represent our country in Australia.

"We have been practising the rescue techniques on a weekly basis and we are confident of success in Melbourne."

The home nation are the favourites for the competition with the Americans also fancied for the title. The British team have recruited a leading road traffic accident rescue consultant, South African, Robert Walmsley, to give them some tips. Assisting with the team's training, the Holland-based specialist has passed on his expertise to the Manchester lads to help them with their international challenge.

Mark said: "Robert has been a great help to the team and his wide knowledge and experience of RTA rescue situations will put us in good stead."

Bury's firefighters will be putting in a total of 27-years experience into their championship event.

Martin Ward is the more experienced of the three having served GMCF for 15 years. Married with two children and of Grantham Drive, Brandlesholme, Mark (37) is based at the fire service headquarters in Swinton.

Fireman and paramedic Tom Hague (35) of Dale Street, Stubbins, is a father of two girls and has spent six years in the fire service. He is stationed at Heywood and works alongside fellow team member Fireman Austin Holden (32) of Ainsworth Road, Bury. Austin has also served for six years in the brigade.

The other team members are Keith Burgess, from Salford and Ian Holt, stationed at Heywood.

They flew out to Australia yesterday and will spend their time training and helping the Malaysian and Singapore teams prior to the start of the two-day competition.

Mark concluded: "It would be ironic if the Malaysian and Singapore teams finished ahead of us. However, although we will help them train, we will certainly hold back certain tricks of the trade. The team is confident and we will do our best to bring the championship back home to Manchester."

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