A fire engine was flagged down to an unconscious casualty in the street.

Firefighters from Carlisle East Fire Station were out doing community safety activities when they were signalled to stop by a member of the public after they had come across someone who was unresponsive on the pavement.

It happened on Myddleton Street in Carlisle, yesterday afternoon.

Nathan Holme, crew manager, said: "They had phoned for an ambulance but they saw us and thought they would flag us down to provide assistance until the ambulance arrived, which we did."

A large part of a firefighter's role involves assisting other emergency services.

Crews have also taken over ‘breaking in duties’ from the police, so whenever an ambulance needs assistance to gain entry to a property, crews are sent to perform this duty.