Fire Engine Hit Twice by Cars at MVA Scene

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Once again, proper procedure at an MVA scene saved FFs lives. By parking its Engine 5 at an angle, Dover, NH Fire Dept. avoided a tragedy.

Monday, January 3, 2005, Dover, New Hampshire   

Freezing rain slicks area roads; Dover fire truck hit twice

By BRUNO MATARAZZO Jr.  Democrat Staff Writer  DOVER—

Chaos ensued on roadways across the region Sunday evening as freezing rain turned portions of highways and roads into skating rinks.  Accidents were reported across Strafford County beginning last evening when freezing rain and sleet began to fall. 

Dover Fire Department’s Engine 5 was struck twice by sliding vehicles while on the Spaulding Turnpike attending to an earlier motor vehicle accident, Dover Fire Chief Perry Plummer said.

There were no injuries in either accident.  Engine 5 was parked on the northbound side of the turnpike between Exit 9 and the Rochester city line being used to block firefighters attending to a accident scene, Plummer said. 

The first accident occurred about 7 p.m., causing damage to the driver’s side rear of Engine 5.  The second accident happened about an hour later at the same location and the other side of the Engine’s rear was struck. Both accidents caused approximately $6,000 in damages to Engine 5 and will be repaired by the department’s insurance company. 

The Engine was able to return to the station Sunday night and has been used to make fire and medical calls.  The car in the first accident was able to drive away from the scene but the truck in the second accident had to be towed from the scene, Plummer said.  The driver involved in the second accident, Terrie Lemay, 44, of Rochester, was arrested for driving while intoxicated, according to State Police. 

Plummer said the leading cause of firefighter death in the country is motor vehicle accidents.  The Engine was used to protect firefighters from getting struck by motorists and the 4,200-pound truck did its job on Sunday.  "If it wasn’t for our crew adhering to our safety procedures, one of the crew could have been hit during the accident," Plummer said. "It was pretty dangerous."

[afd65 4]

that is really weird that it happened twice. and thank god it was there or else it could of been some firemen getting hurt