SIX firefighters were injured yesterday when a fire appliance, on its way to an emergency call, overturned on the southbound approach road to Erskine bridge, near Glasgow, writes William Tinning.

Two members of the Strathclyde Fire Brigade crew were airlifted to Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley, where they were detained overnight. One suffered a broken leg, while the other was treated for internal bruising. Four others taken by ambulance to Western Infirmary, Glasgow, were treated for neck strains, and later discharged.

The bridge was closed in both directions after the incident, which happened about 2.15pm. The northbound carriageway re-opened an hour later but the southbound carriageway remained closed until late last night to allow recovery of the vehicle.

Diversions were put in place, with more traffic having to use the Clyde tunnel, leading to delays of up to 45 minutes in the rush hour.

Investigations into the crash, involving Strathclyde Police traffic officers and brigade health and safety officers, were continuing last night. No other vehicles were involved.

The relatively new vehicle crashed at a tight bend, 100 yards from the bridge, before it skidded into a crash barrier and overturned on its side. The vehicle, from Clydebank Fire Station, had been responding to an emergency fire call in Erskine.

Colleagues following in another fire appliance who were also responding to the call, helped rescue the injured and gave them first aid before they were taken to hospital.

Back-up vehicles were summoned to attend the original call, triggered by a safety device at the Bargarran health centre in Erskine. It was a false alarm.

Brigade firemaster Jeff Ord and his deputy David Kennedy both attended the crash scene, which was initially thought to be more serious.

Last night, brigade divisional officer Steve King said: ''There is little doubt the protective shell of the fire engine's cabin helped to lessen the extent of the injuries suffered.''