Serious Apparatus Crash-Maryland(PG)

[Guest]

"Late this evening, while responding to another auto crash on the Washington Beltway, Prince George's County FD Rescue Squad 47 (Allentown Road VFD) was involved in a rollover crash. At the time of this notification, there are firefighters and possibly civilians injured/trapped. There were requests from the scene for 4 (four) medevac helicopters, 3 (three) additional heavy rescue squads, an EMS task force and multiple related units.

Details to follow tomorrow"

[Porsha911gt3 8]

Beltway Reopens After Multiple Vehicle Crash

As the heavy-duty Rescue Squad from Fire/EMS Station 47, Silisea, approached the scene it was struck by the tractor trailer, seen in the background. (Photo courtesy of Prince George's Fire/Mark Brady)

OXON HILL, Md. - A tractor trailer that apparently failed to slow down for a fire truck that was headed to an accident struck the fire truck with such force that it was knocked on its side and forced the overnight closure of the Capital Beltway, according to Prince George's County Fire and EMS.

The Beltway near the Interstate 295 interchange reopened completely by 4:28 a.m. Thursday.

According to fire officials, Rescue Squad 47-- with its lights and sirens on -- was approaching on the Inner Loop to get to the first crash site on the Outer Loop when it slowed down to enter a emergency access ramp in the median strip. It had almost stopped when the 18-wheel tractor-trailer struck it and then two other vehicles that had stopped to let the emergency vehicle pass.

"Initially, there were several firefighters trapped within the apparatus," says Prince George's County Fire and EMS spokesman Mark Brady.

In total, seven people had to be taken to hospitals and trauma centers from the two collision sites, four of them via medical helicopters.

From the first crash site on the Outer Loop of the Capital Beltway -- the one to which firefighters were responding -- a man suffered critical injuries when his vehicle rolled over, trapping him inside. That accident happened just before 10:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Six people, including four firefighters, had to be taken to trauma centers and hospitals from the second crash site. None of the injuries is believed to be life threatening.

Nearly 100 public safety officials from Prince George's County, Alexandria, District of Columbia, Fairfax and the Naval District Washington responded to the accidents.

Edited March 22, 2007 by Porsha911gt3

[Guest]

"As Rescue Squad 47, with all emergency warning devices activated, came to a near stop to turn into the access ramp, they were struck from behind by an 18-wheel tractor-trailer. The Squad was struck with such force that it was knocked over onto its right side, injuring the four firefighters on-board. Two civilian vehicles, that had stopped to allow the emergency vehicle to pass, were also struck by the tractor-trailer. The combination of the two crashes required a response of nearly 100 public safety officials including fire/EMS units from Prince George's County, Alexandria, D.C, Fairfax and the Naval District Washington. Prince George's County Fire Battalion Chief Doug Osterhouse established a unified incident command at the scene.

The initial crash resulted in an adult male being flown to an area trauma center in critical condition with a head injury. The second crash involved four firefighters being flown to an area trauma center, and two adults taken by paramedics to an area hospital. None of the injuries appear to be life threatening. As of 0230 hours, 1 firefighter is being admitted in good condition and the other three will be released later today. We will post additional along with some pictures on our daily News & Updates section on the home page later today.

Take Care-BE CAREFUL.

BillyG

The Secret List 3-22-07 / 0800 hours"

[Remember585 815]

They got rear-ended while responding?! That's a new one....

Best thoughts to the injured for a speedy and full recovery.