FIREFIGHTERS from the region left their picket lines over the weekend to attend emergency incidents.

Striking crews went to help after people were reported trapped in a car crash in County Durham, on Saturday, while firefighters in North Yorkshire worked alongside Army personnel in York on Saturday, after a man became trapped in the bedroom of his home in York after a chip pan fire spread.

Four people were taken to hospital after a Ford Fiesta and Fiat Punto collided on the A167 at Woodham Lodge, near Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

Firefighters at Aycliffe station left the picket line when they were alerted by police and arrived at the scene with a Green Goddess crew, at about 11.15am.

The firefighters freed the occupants of one car using specialist cutting equipment while an RAF unit, comprising a rescue equipment and support team from Durham, freed the occupant of the second car.

The Great North Air Ambulance flew a 55-year-old Spennymoor man with a ruptured diaphragm and broken left leg to Stockton's University Hospital of North Tees.

A 60-year-old man from Spennymoor and a 35-year-old Ferryhill woman were taken to the University Hospital of North Durham with suspected neck and head injuries.

A 53-year-old man, who was a passenger in the Fiesta, was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital with a wound to his head.

One striker, who asked not to be named, said: "We are on strike, but we are not going to turn our backs on the public in their hour of need."

Army spokesman Lieutenant David Nutall said: "We're more than happy if the Fire Brigade come along and help save lives."

Firefighters also went to put out the house fire in Diamond Street, York, while an Army breathing apparatus rescue (Bart) team rescued the occupant, who was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

News that an elderly woman's home was on fire and that she was trapped on Friday night also caused picket lines to be crossed at Scarborough fire station.

Two fire engines went to Church Beck Cottages, Cloughton, to help the Green Goddess and Bart crews. But when they arrived, they were unable to find a fire.

Flying Officer John English said: "The striking firefighters were involved and they forced the door open to check there was nothing wrong and found the woman, who was deaf, asleep in her bed."

Other incidents attended by Green Goddess crews yesterday included a barn fire, in Greenhead, Crook, County Durham; a house fire, in Kirby Malzeard, near York, and a fire at the former Musgrove School, in Gateshead.