Off duty firefighter hailed for quick thinking after saving man from burning car

Crews at the scene on the Larne Link road in Co Antrim
Crews at the scene on the Larne Link road in Co Antrim -Credit:NIFRS North


An off-duty firefighter has been hailed for saving a man from a burning car.

The drama unfolded on the Larne Link Road in Ballymena, Co Antrim, on Sunday evening when three cars were involved in an accident.

The collision resulted in one of the vehicles catching fire before the off-duty emergency worker sprung into action. The dual carriageway was closed in both directions at KFC as PSNI, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and the NI Fire and Rescue Service all attended.

Read more: Man arrested over online threats to NI's first black mayor

The Air Ambulance was also dispatched with at least one person taken to hospital. Their condition is not known at this time.

On a post on X: NIFRS North said: "Fire Crews from the Ballymena Station have attended a three-vehicle road traffic collision on the Larne Road Link near Sainsburys roundabout.

"Colleagues from the PSNI, NIAS, Air Ambulance and St John's Ambulance also assisted at the scene.

"One male casualty was rescued from the burning vehicle due to the quick actions of an off-duty firefighter."

A PSNI spokesperson said: "The Larne Link Road in Ballymena is currently closed due to three-vehicle road traffic collision."

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.