Texas FF critical after collision w/train

[Guest]

Wish the brother a speedy and full recovery but, nevertheless, he is lucky to be alive after not stopping at the Xing w/ oncoming train.... all the best to FF Hancock's family and friends.

Firefighter in critical condition after fire truck hit by train

AP

NEW SUMMERFIELD, Texas -- A volunteer firefighter remained in critical condition Sunday after suffering serious injuries when a train hit the fire truck he was driving to the scene of a blaze, officials said.

Kenneth Hancock, 35, of New Summerfield, was injured Saturday while en route to the grass fire near New Summerfield, officials said. A cargo train hit the water tank truck he was driving when he failed to stop at a railroad crossing near Goliad, Texas Department of Public Safety trooper Eric Long said.

"The railroad crossing lights were flashing, and for whatever reason the firefighter struck the engine of the train as it was going through the crossing," Long told the Tyler Morning Telegraph.

Hancock was the only occupant of the vehicle. He was airlifted from the scene to East Texas Medical Center in Tyler, where he was listed in critical condition Sunday, hospital officials said.

New Summerfield Fire Chief Joe Nix said he believed Hancock suffered multiple broken bones and other injuries.

"He is lucky to be alive," Nix said.

He said Hancock was driving the water tanker to supply units fighting the 200-acre grass fire, which sparked a cloud of smoke that could be seen for miles.

Troup volunteer firefighter John Whitsell said the fire destroyed one mobile home along with several structures and vehicles, and officials at the scene said several firefighters were treated for injuries including smoke inhalation, heat exhaustion and first- and second-degree burns.

Firefighters returned to the scene Sunday to extinguish flames that had rekindled, officials said.

[Guest alsfirefighter]

First and foremost, I hope he recovers.

Secondly, this is another example of how we don't learn or some aren't teaching mistakes of the past. In the EVOC curriculum, there are 2 incidents involving decisions to disregard railroad crossings that involved fatalities. There is nothing worth disregarding a railroad crossing signal...esepcially for a grass fire.

[firecapt32 282]

I wish him a speedy recovery.

But guys lets look at the whole senerio--grass fire/ lots of smoke/ can be seen for miles/ think he might have had some tunnel vision?? wasent thinking clearly??

lets remember when we get behindthe wheel of a fire enging lives depend on us getting there but we have to get there first/ be safe/ follow the laws/ you are driving a 20 ton apparatus not your pickup or your totyota.

just my thoughts

EVOC for every one!!!

[firecapt32 282]

I wish him a speedy recovery.

But guys lets look at the whole senerio--grass fire/ lots of smoke/ can be seen for miles/ think he might have had some tunnel vision?? wasent thinking clearly??

lets remember when we get behindthe wheel of a fire enging lives depend on us getting there but we have to get there first/ be safe/ follow the laws/ you are driving a 20 ton apparatus not your pickup or your totyota.

just my thoughts

EVOC for every one!!!