Crew honoured by Venezuela president after quake

Three Essex firefighters and a specialist rescue dog who flew to Venezuela following the devastating earthquake have been honoured by the country's president.

Firefighter Richard Swash, crew manager Rob Wingar, watch manager Graham Currie and dog Bailey were in a squad of 68 UK professionals deployed to South America three weeks ago.

More than 2,500 were confirmed to have died in the quakes which hit the country on 24 June. Tens of thousands were believed to be injured and still missing.

Before heading home, acting president Delcy Rodriguez presented them with Hero of Venezuela medals.

All three firefighters said they would answer the call to be deployed again in the same situation.

"That's what we joined for - to make a difference," said Currie.

The group flew out as part of the UK International Search and Rescue response.

They were immediately dispatched to comb through a collapsed building and Bailey was tasked with sniffing for survivors.

"It was just a chaotic scene," said Swash.

"There were people everywhere, rescue teams from around the world, damaged roads, traffic gridlock and collapsed buildings.

"It was a concrete disaster zone. I'd never seen anything like it."

But Wingar added: "The standout memory for me will be the local people.

"Within hours they'd gone from living their normal lives to having absolutely nothing, yet they were still bringing us fresh water and food.

"That was incredibly humbling."

Unicef described the earthquakes - which were of 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude - as the most significant seismic event to hit the country in more than a century.

It said many families were living in overcrowded temporary shelters or open spaces, and that an estimated 1.8 million people, including 680,000 children, needed urgent help.

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