TWO Bolton-based firefighters were injured when their off-road specialist tender skidded on ice and struck a garden wall.

The accident, which happened in Lowercroft Road, Bury, occurred when they were responding to a road traffic accident in nearby High Street, Walshaw.

Colleagues said the Pinzgauer six-wheel drive tender skidded after rounding a bend before careering from the road.

The vehicle, used for moorland and off-road operations, mounted a small wall and came to rest against a tree in the garden of a house.

Driver, Fireman Ian Young, aged 26, and colleague passenger Fireman Bernard Lees, aged 42, both based at the Bolton North Fire Station in Crompton Way, were treated in Bury General Hospital.

Fireman Young sustained a minor head cut while Fireman Lees received an injury to his hand. Both were released after treatment.

Colleagues claim the road had been ungritted prior to the accident.

And they said two cars which were behind the fire vehicle also skidded on the same patch of ice but did not crash.

Sergeant Martin Greenwood of Bury police divisional traffic unit, said: "The vehicle was on a downhill right-hand bend covered with black ice when it lost control, mounted the footpath and hit a garden wall and tree.

"It didn't appear this road had been gritted. But we then requested the gritters, which came out."

The fire vehicle was one of two from Crompton Way which had responded to the emergency call.

They were on their way to an accident involving a van, which overturned after skidding on ice.

The three women occupants were taken to Bury General Hospital after sustaining minor injuries.

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