THE son of a firefighter who was killed responding to a hoax call has issued a warning to the serial hoaxer who is bombarding fire stations across Bolton.

Len Bradburn, aged 70, of Nevis Grove, Astley Bridge, said reading about the crank caller in the BEN brought back memories of his father's tragic death 57 years ago.

Mr Bradburn was 12-years-old when his father, William Bradburn, aged 37 fell from a fire engine on his way to Falcon Mill, off Halliwell Road. It turned out to be a crank call. He was struck by the second engine, travelling a short distance behind.

Killed

Mr Bradburn said: "It seemed so unfair. My father had been a firefighter at Marsden Road Central Fire Station since the start of the war and survived all of the blitzes, yet he was killed just before the war ended because of a hoax call."

Mr Bradburn said he had just started to get involved in father and son activities such as learning to paint and build things and felt "angry" and "robbed" when his father was suddenly taken away.

He added: "I often wonder how the person responsible felt when they found out what had happened.

"I also wonder if the person who is currently making hoax calls to Bolton stations realises the danger. It could cost lives and it must be stopped. When firefighters are travelling at high speed there is always the risk of an accident and pedestrians and drivers could be hurt.

"Hoax calls can also deprive people in real danger of receiving help. The person responsible must stop and needs to be caught."

In July the hoaxer made eight weekend calls and many more in previous months.

Firefighters at Farnworth have built up a detailed plan of the hoaxer's movements over recent months, tracking his calls from phone boxes around the town to help detectives catch him.

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.