FIREFIGHTERS were forced to cross the picket line on Friday night after hearing of a potentially life-threatening two-car smash in Derbyshire.
But their strike was not interrupted on Saturday night, with only a fallen tree on Snake Pass and a false alarm in Sandiacre reported to county firefighters during the four-hour industrial action.
It was on Friday shortly before 9.30pm when firefighters on strike at Swadlincote fire station were informed by police of the crash, in Burton Road, Midway.
But a spokesman for Derbyshire Police said the collision was later found to be not as serious as first thought with two people suffering minor injuries.
The incident involved a Vauxhall Corsa and a Peugeot 306 and the spokesman said one of the drivers sped away from the scene. Police are now investigating.
The firefighters were on strike because of a continuing national row over pensions and retirement ages.
A spokesman at the station said firefighters crossed the picket line after being informed by the police "that there was a risk to life".
But he said the crew returned to the station once they realised it was not a life-threatening situation.
Firefighters were on strike between 6pm to 10pm on both Friday and Saturday, the fifth and sixth time they have taken the action.
The Government wants firefighters to wait until they are 60 – rather than the current 55 – for their full pension. The union believes 60 is too old for such physical work.
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service had urged people to follow simple safety steps to help reduce emergencies during those times.
These included leaving extra time for car journeys, taking extra care in the kitchen and responding to weather conditions when driving.
