Heroic off-duty doctors rushed to the aid of the crew of a fire vehicle which overturned whilst speeding to a job on blue lights.

Emergency services, including the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance, were called to Polstead Street, Stoke-by-Nayland, at 7.40pm on Thursday.

Whilst on route to assist at a field fire in Bulmer, the off-road fire vehicle from Manningtree Station had overturned, leaving three members of its crew injured.

Una Oakes and her husband Brian have lived in the house where the vehicle struck for 47 years.

She said: “There were two A&E doctors who were off-duty at The Crown across the road. They rushed over and started helping the casualties.

“It was incredible what they did - I take my hat off to them, they were amazing.

“Everybody, all the emergency services, were really efficient.”

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

Picture: Tasha Warner

One of the firefighters was taken to hospital with a broken arm, with two others sustaining just minor injuries.

Mrs Oakes said she first heard the vehicle’s sirens outside her home, before going to have a look.

“I heard a bang and thought they had a head on collision at first so I opened the door,” she said.

“I don’t know why but I had automatically picked up the phone when I heard the bang. I called the emergency services straight away.

“Three fire engines and the air ambulance soon arrived.”

Polstead Street, which is near The Crown hotel and restaurant, in Park Street, was closed whilst emergency services were at the scene.

Mrs Oakes said: “The A134 is closed at the moment so a lot of traffic which normally uses that is coming down the road.

“It is a busy road and speed is an issue, but they were on blue lights so it couldn’t be avoided.

“There was a lot of surface water on the roads last night which could have contributed to the crash. The whole incident was horrific.”

Mr Oakes added: “It happened about 7.40pm but my wife did not stop shaking until after midnight.”

Suffolk fire service were called to help free the crew from the vehicle.

Jo Turton, Chief Fire Officer with Essex Fire and Rescue Service, thanked the public for all their good wishes to the crew.

She said: “The service is supporting everyone involved in the incident and the public’s kind comments will be passed to the crew. Two crew members who were checked over in hospital were able to go home last night with only minor injuries.

“One crew member, who has a broken arm, is receiving treatment in hospital and is expected to be able to go home soon.”