A group of West Midland firefighters who helped to save more than 800 people in earthquake-stricken Kashmir were given an emotional welcome home by their families last night.
The rescue team returned to Birmingham International Airport to be reunited with their loved ones for the first time since they jetted out just hours after the earthquake struck northern Pakistan.
The five men are members of the urban search and rescue team of West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service, set up in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist atrocities. The Kashmir mission was their first overseas.
There were tears and delight as the weary team were hugged by their families at the airport.
Station Officer Pete Mills, from Sutton Coldfield fire station, said: "I have been very much looking forward to seeing my family during all the time that I was out there.
"Although I have only been out there ten days, it feels like an eternity. I am looking forward to having a bit of time off and relaxing with my family."
Firefighter Mills was met by his wife Sue, and his daughters, Ashleigh, aged 14, and ten-year-old Katie.
Ashleigh, who attends Fairfax Secondary School in Sutton Coldfield, said: "We have been really excited, counting down the hours until I knew I was going to see my dad.
"I was wondering what he was going to look like on the way here. And when I saw him I broke down in tears."
Katie, who attends Whitehouse Common Primary School, said: "I am very proud of my dad. I have been watching the news worrying about him and hoping to see him.
"He is going to be spending lots of time with the family for a few days and we are going to be going out for a nice meal."
Divisional Officer Alan Pellowe, who led the team, described how the group did not know where to start after they first witnessed the level of destruction on a helicopter flight from Karachi to the Kashmiri city of Muzaffarabad, at the foot of the Himalayas.
Mr Pellowe said the group settled into their role coordinating the international relief effort and managed to save hundreds of lives through a link-up with the German army, which flew helicopters into remote areas.
The team rescued 24 live casualties from the debris of collapsed buildings and organised airlifts for hundreds of other victims, many of them 'trauma one' casualties who would have died within 24 hours without medical attention. Many of the victims had been buried under rubble for several days.
Mr Pellowe said the group - which also includes firefighters Phil Webb, Stuart Downes and Paul Jobbins - had witnessed some "horrific sights" during their rescue mission.
He called for international aid to the devastated region and said the group would "not be able to walk away from what we have seen".
"But you have to respond and we went about prioritising and tasking and we just got on with the job." He added: "I am immensely proud of this bunch of guys. They gave their all and I did not hear one grumble or one sharp word.
"They worked for 21 hours-a-day. I am proud of them as a team, as West Midlands firefighters and as members of the community of the West Midlands who they served so well."
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