Long-serving firefighter Declan Higgins has been killed in a three vehicle pile-up while driving a West Sussex Fire Brigade van.

The Crawley-based fireman died after the Ford Escort van he was driving careered across the central reservation on the A24 Southwater by-pass yesterday morning.

It was then in collision with a Mercedes van coming in the opposite direction and a Ford Iveco tipper lorry. Mr Higgins was cut from the force's utility van by his colleagues and taken to hospital by ambulance. He was found to be dead on arrival.

The 40-year-old fireman was a retained firefighter with Crawley Fire Station and had served with West Sussex Fire Brigade for 11 years. He lived in the Crawley area.

Last night a spokesman for West Sussex Fire Brigade said his colleagues weregiving close support to his family.

The driver of the Mercedes, 29-year-old Paul Smith, of Worthing, and the Iveco driver, 32-year-old John Pope, of Bognor, both escaped unhurt in the crash.

Both lanes of the dual carriageway were closed until 2pm yesterday as police investigators examined the scene and the vehicles were towed away.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash to call

Horsham traffic officers on 0845 6070999.

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