A pedestrian was today recovering in hospital after being hit by a fire engine as it answered a 999 call.

Robin Adams, 31, was hit by the appliance as made its way with a second Basildon fire crew to an emergency at Basildon Hospital.

Essex fire service was today starting its own internal investigation as police launched their routine probe into the accident, in Laindon.

A senior fire officer has already visited Basildon fire station and taken reports which will be examined.

The accident happened on the Laindon Link, near Mellow Purgess, as fire crews responded to the hospital's fire alarms were sounding at 6pm yesterday.

Mr Adams was taken to hospital by ambulance with serious injuries. He was today understood to be in a comfortable condition.

A police report on the accident stated the man had stepped out from between two parked cars. The engine is thought to have swerved but Mr Adams was still knocked down, police said.

A spokesman for Basildon fire station said: "None of the firefighters were injured. There was superficial damage to the appliance."

Both Basildon fire appliances remained at the scene of the accident and another was redirected to attend the hospital's emergency call.

Accident scene - concerned firefighters stayed on the scene as paramedics treated the accident victim

Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

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