Bermuda Fire Service Lieutenant Dana Lovell said it was the first time in his 19-year history with the service that he had seen anything like the devastation of Wednesday's landslide at the Bermuda College.

Lt. Lovell, the Service's new media relations officer, said: "I responded to the scene with the firefighters and nothing could have prepared us for the amount of rubble that was there.

"We were not certain that someone was trapped, but we always operate under the understanding that there may be someone in danger. Shortly after we arrived we were told that Mrs. Bacari might have been in her car."

Lt. Lovell took up his appointment as media relations officer on Monday and after only two days he was faced with an horrific tragedy - at that moment he wished that he was still a firefighter.

"I wanted to join in with the firefighters, the Police, Works and Engineering men, and the Army, but I had to remember that I was there to look for any dangerous rifts that may have occurred putting more lives in danger.

"I don't ever remember feeling so helpless - I recall feeling what more could I possibly do to help," said Lt. Lovell.

"I cannot stress enough the unity that was felt there with all the different groups working together for a common cause, and hoping upon hope to save her life."

"There were so many people around - it seemed to me by the look in their faces that they were sharing the same feelings of grief.

"There were around a hundred or so students at the Bermuda College and everyone was cooperative and allowed us to do our job."

Over the years, Lt. Lovell had been at many fires and countless other incidents involving loss of life, but he said each time it was a unique experience.

"As firefighters, we train for situations using scenarios where lives could be threatened, but no matter how many people we cannot save, it is always heart wrenching for all of us. It is our primary aim to save life and then property, but no matter how much training nothing prepares us for incidents of this sort," said Lt. Lovell.

"I can only describe my feelings as a gaping sense of emptiness - in all my years, I never experienced anything of this magnitude or had ever seen such devastation."

The first crew on the scene was Crew Four and they joined crews from other stations. The total number of firefighters and officers on the scene built up to 29 with 12 appliances.

The firefighters first had to locate the vehicle and then they had to use hydraulic tools to remove Mrs. Bacari from here mangled car.

Lt. Lovell said: "Despite what we are feeling, our thoughts are with her family, friends and her students and what they are feeling right now."