Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service is currently investigating an incident where one of their fire engines reportedly damaged a parked Volkswagen Golf while navigating a narrow street in Cheltenham.
Danny Galston, 34, says his Volkswagen Golf was struck on the wing mirror while parked outside his home on Upper Bath Street on June 14. Mr. Galston’s partner witnessed the fire engine hitting the car, after which the vehicle drove away without stopping.
According to Mr. Galston, the fire engine was not responding to an emergency call at the time, a detail confirmed by the local fire station. This implies the fire engine was subject to the same road safety responsibilities as any other driver.
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Upon discovering the damage, Mr. Galston immediately contacted the Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service depot. Two crew members from the fire engine later returned to his home to take a statement and photograph the damage.
The transportation team manager of the fire service reportedly acknowledged the incident in a phone call, advising Mr. Galston to reach out to his insurer and stating that a fire engine had “impacted with his vehicle.” Mr. Galston considers this an admission of fault.
Despite the initial acknowledgment, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service has since disputed the claim. Mr. Galston recounted, “Although we saw and heard the collision from inside our house, the driver claimed they did not notice and drove off. Only after I called the depot did two crew members return to document the damage.”
He also described frustration over the fire crew’s response, including a crew member questioning whether the damage to his car existed before the incident. He emphasized that his vehicle had recently passed an MOT the day before and had only been driven from the garage to his home.
Initially admitting responsibility on the phone, the fire service’s transportation team group manager has now been instructed by Gloucestershire County Council to cease discussing liability.
Further complicating the issue, Mr. Galston learned that key evidence was not passed on to their insurer, leaving the matter unresolved. As a result, he faces the prospect of being without his car for six months or more.
Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service declined to comment further while the investigation is ongoing, stating, “This matter is currently under investigation so we will be unable to make any further comment until the outcome of the investigation is known.”