St Austell firefighters save couple’s wedding day

A duo of firefighters from Cornwall took on an important rescue mission – helping a couple on their wedding day.

St Austell Fire Station said on Facebook that firefighter Martin Giles and watch manager Andy Brier responded to David Martin and Rebekah Hill’s call to be witnesses for their wedding.

The couple traveled to Cornwall for their wedding and asked at the door of the fire station if they could help provide the two witnesses needed.

Speaking about the appeal, Mr Giles and Mr Brier said it was a privilege to help the happy couple.

Mr Giles said he answered a knock on the station door from Mr Martin, who said he was getting married at St Austell Register Office in Polkyth House and needed two witnesses.

“It was kind of weird but I went upstairs and checked with my boss and he said ‘yeah, no problem,'” Mr Giles said.

Firefighters said they stood witness for the couple – who were on holiday in the South East – during their lunch break.

The couple had planned to find two witnesses on the street, but there was no one around and the fire station was next door to the wedding venue.

Mr Brier said they drove to the registry office in a fire engine and had to keep their radios on them during the wedding in case they got a call about an incident.

He added that it was a wonderful service and they were happy to be part of the big day, although he explained that he and Mr Giles had to take on extra duties.

Mr Brier said: “As we walked into the hall where they got married, they were going to play some music but the CD player broke so the registrar asked us to play.”

Mr Giles added that along with the singing, they were asked to take photographs and film the wedding.