This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c80dljjp0zko
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Hundreds mark funeral for Bicester Motion fire victim Martyn Sadler | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Firefighter Martyn Sadler's coffin was carried on a London Fire Brigade aerial ladder platform fire engine | Firefighter Martyn Sadler's coffin was carried on a London Fire Brigade aerial ladder platform fire engine |
Hundreds of people lined the streets to remember a firefighter killed alongside a colleague and a member of the public in a major blaze. | |
Martyn Sadler, 38, died along with colleague Jenny Logan, 30, and father-of-two Dave Chester, 57, at Bicester Motion in Oxfordshire on 15 May. | |
Mr Sadler's coffin, draped in the Union flag, was carried atop a London Fire Brigade (LFB) aerial ladder platform fire engine through Bicester's streets. The cortege paused outside its fire station, where firefighters stood to attention for a minute's silence. | |
Mourners at the town's St Edburg's church heard how Mr Sadler's had wanted to be a firefighter from childhood. | |
Firefighters lined the route as the funeral cortege passed Bicester Fire Station | |
His coffin was brought into the church flanked by standard bearers from all of the country's fire services as hundreds of people watched on. | |
Mr Sadler worked as a retained firefighter for Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, having joined its cadets programme aged 14, and the LFB. | |
He started his wholetime firefighter training with Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, working in Slough, Langley and Maidenhead, before moving to the LFB in May 2022. | |
Senior staff from the three services attended the funeral. | |
A plaque from Mr Sadler's wife Charlie was carried into the church, marked with the three fire services' insignia, which read: "To my husband, forever my hero". | |
Mr Sadler considered being a firefighter to be his vocation, his father Duncan said | |
Rob MacDougall, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service's chief fire officer, said Mr Sadler's death "sent ripples" across the country because of the impact he made professionally. | |
"Let us remember his smile, his laughter and the joy he brought to all of us," Mr MacDougall said, his voice breaking. | |
His sister Kelly said her heart "broke into a million pieces" on hearing about his death and that he was not even on call when he attended the Bicester Motion fire. | |
"For 20-odd years you ran towards danger when most of us would run away and although I am a little bit mad at you for doing it that night when you weren't even on call, I know that you wouldn't have had it any other way," she said. | |
Mr Sadler's father Duncan said becoming a firefighter had been a long-standing ambition and that relatives, many of whom had worked for fire services, were "so proud" of his achievements. | |
Thee coffin of firefighter Martyn Sadler was carried into St Edburg's Church in Bicester | |
The churchyard was initially full of mourners who attended the funeral but then filled by members of the public who listened to Mr Sadler's funeral on speakers. | |
Forecast thunderstorms that could have deterred them from staying did not materialise as the sun shone on the town. | |
The congregation heard From Now On, sung by Hugh Jackman in The Greatest Showman, and Hero by Mariah Carey. They sung hymns Jerusalem, Abide with Me and Amazing Grace. | |
A selection of pictures of Mr Sadler was accompanied by rugby anthem Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. | |
Mr Sadler, along with Ms Logan, were members of Bicester Rugby Union Football Club, which has raised thousands of pounds in their memory. | |
Rev Peter Wright, who led the funeral, said it was his "sad privilege" to do so. | |
Martyn Sadler, Jennie Logan and Dave Chester all died in the devastating fire | Martyn Sadler, Jennie Logan and Dave Chester all died in the devastating fire |
Mr Sadler's funeral was the last for those who died in May. | |
Ms Logan, 30, was also honoured with a procession in Bicester on 14 June, which was attended by thousands. | |
The funeral for Mr Chester, 57, who repaired heritage buildings at the former RAF base at the site, took place in Tackley, on 8 July. | The funeral for Mr Chester, 57, who repaired heritage buildings at the former RAF base at the site, took place in Tackley, on 8 July. |
Two other firefighters received serious injuries but have been released from hospital. | Two other firefighters received serious injuries but have been released from hospital. |
Last month police, fire and Health and Safety Executive investigation work at the scene concluded. | Last month police, fire and Health and Safety Executive investigation work at the scene concluded. |
Bicester Motion has since announced that Hangar 79, a Grade II listed building, is set for demolition due to significant fire damage. | Bicester Motion has since announced that Hangar 79, a Grade II listed building, is set for demolition due to significant fire damage. |
You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. | You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. |