Tanker driver uses milk to save duo

Police in Fermanagh believe the prompt actions of a milk tanker driver prevented more serious injuries to a driver and front-seat passenger after a car crash near Derrylin on Sunday. Michael Coyle from Newtownstewart County Tyrone hosed the contents of the tank over a burning car in which two young Cavan men were trapped and seriously injured following the collision. The men, from the Ballyconnell and Milltown areas, were travelling north in the direction of Enniskillen when the crash occurred on the road between Derrylin and Bellinaleck at 12.45pm on Sunday. They were taken to the Erne Hospital in Enniskillen and later to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. Both were described as stable yesterday, Tuesday, afternoon. Two fire appliances attended the scene, the first at 1.04pm. It took until 3.30pm to free the two trapped men from the car. They worked in tandem with paramedics and a doctor and a nurse from the Derrylin area. Station commander at Enniskillen Fire Service, Martin Jeffrey, told The Anglo-Celt that it was the first time in his 28 years of service he had seen a car fire being extinguished with milk from a tanker. He commended the tanker driver for his presence of mind, despite the shock of the collision. The driver manoeuvred the truck into position so the milk could be hosed on to the burning car from a valve at the rear of the tank. Mr Coyle works for TG Haulage, Newtownstewart and was taking milk to Lakeland Dairies. Tony Gallagher of TG Haulage said that Michael is an "easy going man and is never in a hurry". He is also obliging and a dedicated worker. Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision or has any information in relation to it to contact them in Enniskillen 0845 600 8000.