Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue is hosting the biggest firefighting competition in the UK this weekend, demonstrating Fire and Rescue teams’ expertise.
Around 130 teams took part in the five exercises of the UK Rescue Challenge, from undertaking an urban rescue to getting a casualty out of a car crash in 20 minutes.
Teams scaled the University of Lincoln’s main building, undertook water rescues in Brayford Pool and freed people from car crashes under Brayford Way Bridge.
Activities for visitors include a graffiti artist, climbing wall, street performers, street first aid and a fly-past by the Red Arrows.
There was also the chance to meet some of the local team’s rescue dogs too.
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue’s group manager Mark Baxter said: “Fire and Rescue teams across the country are being challenge and tested on how they would do modern rescue for the fire service.
“There are five disciplines they are being challenged on: road traffic collisions, trauma (advanced first aid), rope rescue, urban search and rescue and water search and rescue.
“As a fire service, we are always very proud of the work we do and the high standard the team perform at on a day to day basis. We just want the public to come and see and enjoy the event.”
He added :”Lincoln was chosen after we put in a bid to the competition two years ago. It goes around the country every year with a different fire service hosting, so Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue is really proud to host and showcase all the work it does in rescue situations.”
Chris Whaley, the university’s catering and conference manager, said: “We’re delighted that the University of Lincoln is able to support an event such as this.
“It’s raising the profile of the university and the city as a whole, and is our way of thanking Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue service as they do so much for us and the local community.”
Steve Apter, chairman of the UK Rescue Organisation, added: “The UK Rescue Challenge is the culmination of hours of dedicated training and honing of skills across a wide range of technical skills.
“It’s a world-class event, showcasing the pinnacle of the nation’s rescue expertise.”
The event runs from 10am to 4pm August 24 and 25 and is free for the public to attend.
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A local man was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and dangerous driving after two pedestrians were injured in a collision with a car and three parked vehicles in Skegness.
Lincolnshire Police officers attended the scene after the collision between a blue Citroen Berlingo, the parked vehicles, and a man and a woman, who are both in their 60s, on Winthorpe Avenue shortly before 7pm on Friday, April 16.
The two pedestrians suffered serious injuries and were taken to hospital. However, their injuries are not thought to be life threatening.
A 63-year-old local man, who was driving the Berlingo, was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and dangerous driving. He has since been released under investigation.
Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage and anyone with information should contact them on 101 or via email at [email protected] quoting incident number 389 of April 16.
Few people attended the second Kill the Bill protest in Lincoln on Saturday, as Extinction Rebellion activists stood alone on the High Street to campaign against a proposed policing bill that could make many protests illegal.
Activists from Extinction Rebellion Lincolnshire gathered at Speakers’ Corner to oppose plans for the latest Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which could curtail protesting rights if passed through parliament.
Extinction Rebellion were the main representatives at the protest. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Under the proposed bill, police officers will be given greater powers to put a stop to any protests, as well as determining start and finish times for them, and controlling noise levels.
A few stopped to talk with the protestors, but most just went about their day walking down Lincoln High Street in the first weekend that non-essential shops and beer gardens reopened.
The Lincolnite spoke to one of the rebels at the protest, to find out the reasons behind the march.
They said: “This draconian bill cannot go ahead, it needs to be taken apart and re-evaluted completely.
“People have been walking past us shaking their heads, but they don’t realise that it’s their freedom we are fighting for.”
The Lincolnite photographer Steve Smailes captured some pictures from the protest.
Signs were put up by the works at Speakers’ Corner on Lincoln High Street. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
A 19-year-old man is in hospital with serious injuries after a crash on the A52 on Friday evening.
The single-vehicle crash, involving a white Suzuki Splash, happened in the westbound lane of the A52 between Barrowby and Sedgebrook at around 7.20pm on Friday, April 16.
The driver of the car is now in hospital after suffering serious injuries, and police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
Officers believe the driver had travelled from Grantham on the A52 at Barrowby before the crash.
Anyone who has dashcam footage or saw the vehicle before the incident is being asked to call 101, quoting incident 420 of April 16.
Alternatively, you can email [email protected], using the same reference in the subject box.