Chief Fire Officer devastated by loss of colleague in bike crash

The Island’s Chief Fire Officer says he is ‘devastated’ after his well-respected colleague died in a traffic incident earlier this week.

Forty-three year old Neil Walker was a retained fireman at Ramsey Fire Station and had served for more than 20 years.

He lost his life when his bike collided with a car near Bulgham rocks on the Laxey to Ramsey coast road on Wednesday.

A joiner as well as a fireman, Neil Walker was married with two children...his family are being offered support by a Police Family Liason Officer.

Chief Fire Officer Kevin Groom says ‘he was a truly professional firefighter...on behalf of all staff of the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue, I send sincere condolences to his wife, children, family and friends at this sad and difficult time. Rest in Peace Neil.’

Whilst police spoke to a number of witnesses at the scene, they are still appealing for anyone else who saw what happened to contact Police Headquarters on 631212.