According to reports from our colleagues at *Le Métropolitain*, a volunteer firefighter with SDIS 34, based at the Nissan-lez-Ensérune emergency response centre, west of Béziers, was injured on Saturday evening after falling into a ravine some fifteen metres deep whilst responding to a forest fire in the commune of Montouliers, in the Minervois region. He was dousing part of the burnt area, after the fire had been brought under control, when the incident occurred. The firefighter, whose age is unknown, was moving across very steep terrain at dusk when he failed to see the precipice. He fell about fifteen metres, in full view of his colleagues from a forest fire tanker (CCF) from the Nissan-lez-Ensérune fire station, which had been on duty since the afternoon. He is seriously injured.
The Dragon 34 on site
His colleagues from the mountain rescue team, including the reconnaissance and hazardous terrain response unit, are on site to rescue him and provide medical treatment. According to our information, he is suffering from severe back pain. A winch operation will be carried out by the Civil Protection helicopter, the Dragon 34, which arrived at the scene at 9.30 pm.
The firefighter, who is believed to be conscious, will be taken to Montpellier University Hospital.