Crash-rescue team bidding to be best in the world

South Yorkshire firefighters are often the first on the scene at road crashes, making the difference between life and death in many cases.

And those skills that help victims survive even the most serious of smashes are now being put to the test.

A team of six highly-trained firefightrers are visiting Barcelona, in Spain, where they will compete against 33 other teams in the World Extrication Championships.

They will pit their wits against other top teams in a series of four tough 'games' to test their skills in rescuing crash victims.

The group, one from Sheffield, one from Barnsley and four Rotherham station workers, are hoping to regain their crown as world champions.

The Don Valley Extrication Team stood third after last year's contest - but they want to wrestle back the title they last won in 2005.

Team leader Jonathan Dyson said: "I think we've got a great chance but there's some tough competition."

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