FIRE chiefs were on Monday accused of breaching health and safety rules over the death of a fireman when a rescue went tragically wrong.

Sub-officer Paul Metcalf drowned during an attempt to rescue 15-year-old Reyaz Ali at Simon's Lodge at Holcombe Brook on September 5, 1999. The boy also drowned.

After lengthy investigations, the Health and Safety Executive decided to prosecute the Greater Manchester Fire and Civil Defence Authority. An inquest into the deaths heard that trainee priest Reyaz Ali had been swimming in Simon's Lodge when he disappeared under the surface.

The teenager had been missing for more than 30 minutes when two crews of firefighters, including sub-officer Metcalf, launched the doomed mission to find his body.

Mr Metcalf, from Shuttleworth, was the first to enter the freezing water, wearing only a small amount of clothing and a rescue line.

The rope became snagged on an underwater tree, putting the officer in difficulties.

When he was eventually freed, sub-officer Metcalfe was dead. The boy's body was recovered later from the lodge.

The trial, in which the brigade faces charges of failure to discharge the duty imposed by Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, started on Monday at Bolton Crown Court and is expected to last for up to four weeks.

The prosecution will allege that the fire service breached the Act during the rescue.

A first hearing took place at Bury Magistrates Court on November 20 last year, followed by a plea and directions hearing at Bolton Crown Court on January 28.

Mr Metcalf, aged 40, was a part-time sub-officer from Bury based at Ramsbottom fire station. An inquest into his death recorded an open verdict.

Last year, Mr Metcalf was posthumously awarded the Emblem of the Queen's Commendation for bravery. His twin brother Michel collected the award.