FIREFIGHTERS lined up in a guard of honour outside Durham Cathedral today (Tuesday, July 30), to honour a 999 control room chief who saved countless lives before hers was tragically ended.

In what is thought to be a first for the cathedral, a fire engine pulled up outside and ten black-uniformed officers stood to attention as the coffin of Joan Coulson was carried aloft through the cloisters.

One raised the red, blue-and-gold-crested standard of County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, which Miss Coulson had served for 33 years.

From the control room, Miss Coulson led the emergency service’s response to numerous serious incidents, including the 1969 Crawleyside Bank bus crash, which claimed 20 lives, and an oil fire at ICI, on Teesside.

The 86-year-old, of New Elvet, Durham City, died following a head-on crash near Sheraton, east Durham, earlier this month.

Canon Rosalind Brown, delivering her funeral address, said the nature of her death was “ironically tragic”.

Born near Stanley in January 1927, Miss Coulson gave up her university studies to care for her miner father, John, after he was seriously injured in a pit accident.

In 1979, she was awarded the British Empire Medal for public service. The citation read that her calm and efficient manner was an example to all.

After retiring from the fire service in 1988, she became a volunteer steward at the cathedral.

Canon Brown said she still expected to see Miss Coulson walking down the aisle, bringing the collection to near where her coffin stood during today’s service.

She loved the cathedral and enjoyed showing it to visitors and her sense of duty and fairness was legendary, Canon Brown said.

“She stayed out of the limelight but has left an imprint for good on many lives,” she added.

Unmarried, Miss Coulson leaves a sister Mavis and niece Dawn, along with a brother-in-law Harry and nephew Nick, who both gave readings during today’s service, which also featured popular hymns The Lord’s My Shepherd and The Day Thou Gavest.

A private interment followed at Bow Cemetery.

*The Northern Echo attended the funeral with the permission of Miss Coulson’s family.