THE fire service is being prosecuted over the death of a fireman four years ago.
The Health and Safety Executive will prosecute Greater Manchester Fire and Civil Defence Authority following a three-year probe into the death of sub-officer Paul Metcalfe.
Mr Metcalfe drowned while trying to rescue Reyaz Ali, aged 15, from Simon's Lodge at Redisher Woods in Holcombe Brook, Bury, in 1999. The boy also died.
The sub-officer, who was based at Ramsbottom fire station, was part of a rescue operation to try to reach him. An inquest later recorded an open verdict into his death.
His family subsequently failed in an attempt to force the Crown Prosecution Service to bring a charge of corporate manslaughter against Greater Manchester Fire Service.
The HSE prosecution will be concerned with breaches of the duty under Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article