THE introduction of water rescue guidelines after the death of a Ramsbottom firefighter more than four years ago was "too little, too late", his twin brother said.

Paul Metcalf (40) died in September 1999 in Simons Lodge at Holcombe Brook when a rope tied round his waist became snagged on an underwater object, pulling him under, as he and his colleagues searched desperately for 15-year-old student Reyaz Ali, who also drowned.

Last Friday, a jury's decision to clear Greater Manchester Fire and Civil Defence Authority of breaching safety regulations in relation to Sub Officer Metcalfs death led to County Fire Officer Barry Dixon criticising the Health and Safety Executive for bringing the prosecution.

Mr Dixon said lives would be lost if rescuers stuck rigidly to a rule book.

However, speaking after the trial, Paul's twin, Michel, hit out at the fire authority who introduced water rescue training, safety measures and equipment after his brothers drowning.

He said: "Evidence shows that the fire authority had been encouraged to provide its firefighters with clear guidelines and property equipment to deal with water rescue incidents years before this tragedy.

"Changes were made after Paul's death but it is a case of too little, too late. Sadly, they will not bring Paul back."

The HSEs prosecution alleged the fire authority failed in its duty as an employer to ensure, so far as practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of its employees for operations in, on or near water.

The charge related to September 5, 1999, when Reyaz and several of his friends from the Darul Uloom College in Holcombe Brook, had gone to the nearby Simons Lodge to swim.

Soon after entering the water, Reyaz got into difficulties and disappeared beneath the surface.

His friends tried unsuccessfully to reach him and found passers-by, who raised the alarm.

Mr Metcalf, a part-time fireman from Whalley Road, Shuttleworth, was one of several firefighters who entered the water more than 30 minutes after Reyaz had disappeared.

During the trial at Bolton Crown Court, witnesses described the rescue operation as "unco-ordinated and out of control."

Concerns about water rescues dated back to January 1994, when there was a memo from a fireman requesting the provision of lifejackets for fire crews.

In June, 1998, a risk assessment of water rescues was carried out by the brigade and an operational policy and guidance document was due to start being drawn up in September 1998.

A year later, by the time of Mr Metcalf's death, it had not been completed, although such a document has been issued since.

This week, Michel continued to question the decision to send rescuers into the water despite knowing Reyaz had been submerged for more than half an hour.

He said: Reyaz fell in the water and his friends tried to find him. They then asked a passer-by to get help and the emergency services were called.

When Paul's pager went off, he had to get from work to Ramsbottom fire station, travel to Holcombe and then get to the actual lodge.

"In all this time Reyaz was still under the water. After five minutes his brain would have been starved of oxygen.

"After ten minutes, there would be no chance of him being alive.

"Knowing how long he had been under the water, why was the decision made for firefighters to go into the water?

"Training and guidelines have now been introduced and I can understand County Fire Officer Barry Dixon's view that following a rule book will cost lives.

"However, common sense must prevail and every effort must be made to protect rescuers before they too lose their lives."