A FIREFIGHTER had to be cut from his vehicle when it was involved in a crash with a van.

Leading firefighter Andy Stephenson was trapped in the cab of the fire engine following the collision in Albert Road, Farnworth, on Saturday.

Three other firefighters and two members of the public also needed hospital treatment for their injuries.

The fire engine, from Farnworth Fire Station, was responding to a report of a fire in Tudor Avenue shortly after 12.30pm when it was involved in the crash with a Ford Transit in Albert Road. Mr Stephenson was freed by colleagues who used specialist cutting equipment.

The driver of the van suffered shock and his passengers needed treatment for cuts and bruises.

Four firefighters were also treated for shock and whiplash. They were taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital but later released.

Another crew from Bolton was sent to the incident in Tudor Avenue.

Assistant divisional officer Tony Lander, of Greater Manchester Fire Service, said: "Our accident investigation team was sent to the scene to investigate. A full inquiry is now ongoing.

"No-one was seriously injured but everyone involved was taken to hospital for a check up."

Witness Brian Greenhaulgh, of Over Hulton, was shopping in Farnworth when the crash happened.

He said: "The fire engine had its lights and sirens on

"It looked like the transit van had just pulled out of St Germaine Street when the accident happened.

"It went crashing into the safety barrier. The driver of the fire engine was stuck and they couldn't get him out."