CREWS at Trowbridge marked Firefighters Memorial Day on Monday May 4 with a parade outside Trowbridge Fire Station in respect of a colleague who died while on duty.

They stood still with heads bowed and their helmets at their feet while paying their respects to Dorset firefighter Simon Kaye who died while on duty at Christchurch on April 13. His funeral was on Monday May 4.

Mr Kaye was taken ill at Christchurch Fire Station during a routine day shift.

He was given treatment by colleagues and paramedics and taken to Royal Bournemouth Hospital but died. It was believed that his death was not related to the coronavirus outbreak.

Firefighters throughout Dorset and Wiltshire and beyond have observed a minute’s silence in his memory.

Ben Ansell, DWFRS chief fire officer, said: “Everyone across Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has been stunned by these events and this is a devastating loss for us all.

"Simon had been a firefighter for over 30 years and served at stations across our service and before that in West Yorkshire.

"I personally worked closely with Simon for a number of years and know he was an experienced, professional and skilled firefighter who was highly regarded by his colleagues."

“His passing is a huge loss to us all and my thoughts and deepest condolences go out to his fiancee and family.

"I want to pay tribute to the firefighters from Christchurch who were with Simon today and to our colleagues in the other emergency services and the NHS who fought so hard to save his life.

"Flags at stations and workplaces across Dorset and Wiltshire will be flown at half-mast in Simon’s honour.”