A RETIRED Bolton fireman has paid tribute to a heroic colleague who died trying to save three children.

John Liptrott, known as ‘Jack’ died aged 47, in a mine at the former Brackley Colliery on April 16, 1968.

Farnworth children Susan Shaw, aged 12, her sister Lorna Shaw, aged 10, and Sheila Watson, aged 13 all died in the tragedy.

The children had got into difficulty after crawling into the mine which unbeknown to them contained methane gas.

Mr Liptrott was the leading fireman called to the scene alongside Bruce Robinson.

But fellow firefighter Norman Greenhalgh had taken a bank holiday on the day of the incident.

He said: “I could have been there along with them if I hadn’t taken the day off.

"I was lucky but Jack was not — it could have been anyone.

“He was a wonderful chap, nice, easy going and just generally a good all round guy.”

Mr Liptrott, who had previously served in the army, joined the fire service in the 1950s.

Mr Greenhalgh, aged 76, said: “Jack had come in from an opening at the bottom of the mine shaft and had inhaled the methane gas.

“Bruce went in at another opening on the top and saw these kiddies, but he started feeling funny.

“He got a breathing set on and pushed Jack a breathing set down but Jack had already took a lung full of this gas so when he put the mask on it just circulated the air and he was gone.”

Mr Greenhalgh has spoken about his friend following an article in The Bolton News last month in which we featured the graves of well-known people in the town.

The story of hero Mr Liptrott will now be added to those legacies.

Father-of-two Mr Greenalgh, who served with Bolton fire service for 22 years, added: “I wanted to speak about Jack and have his name remembered.

“He is a hero there is no doubt about it — he gave his life trying to save those children.”

Mr Liptrott is buried in Tonge Cemetery and there is also a memorial plaque at Bolton North fire station in Crompton Way.