CHARGES of corporate manslaughter could be brought against Greater Manchester Fire Service over the death of firefighter Paul Metcalf.

The brigade's fate now lies in the hands of the Crown Prosecution Service which is examining files concerning the 1999 tragedy.

But the dead man's twin brother, Michel, believes any criminal prosecution should be against the brigade as a whole and not against any individual.

Sub-officer Metcalf drowned on September 4, 1999, when an operation to recover the body of student Reyaz Ali from Simon's Lodge at Holcombe went tragically wrong.

The part-time Ramsbottom fireman was with three crews of colleagues searching the water for the Darul Uloom Islamic College student. He had failed to surface after plunging into the lodge in Redisher Woods. After wading into the water, Mr Metcalf (40) got into difficulties when his safety line became snagged on an underwater branch. Colleagues made desperate efforts to pull him free, but he remained trapped under water for around 15 minutes.

Mr Metcalf, of Whalley Road, Shuttleworth, was eventually winched out by helicopter and air-lifted to Hope Hospital. A paramedic on board tried unsucessfully to revive him.

An inquest was held at Bury Town Hall a day before the first anniversary of the tragedy.

During the six-day hearing, a jury was told how the fire service had introduced new safety measures and guidelines for water rescue operations to try to prevent a repeat of the tragedy.

Witnesses described events as "chaotic" and the inquest uncovered a catalogue of failures which lead to Mr Metcalf's death.

This week the file surrounding the incident was passed to the Crown Prosecution Service by the Health and Safety Executive. The CPS will now consider whether or not to prosecute the brigade.

Michel Metcalf said he was satisfied with the open verdict given at the inquest into his brother's death and was prepared to let the matter rest as the fire brigade had introduced new policies for water rescue and brought specialist equipment to protect rescuers.

He said: "My family do not want to see any one person being prosecuted in the courts.

"Whatever happens it will not bring Paul back."