Wendelville Fire and Rescue Respond to Tractor-Trailer Vs. Dump Truck
Photo by Stephen M wallaceTrying to figure out a safe game plan.
Photo by Stephen M wallaceDevices to secure the air borne side hoping it dosn't slip
Photo by Stephen M WallaceThe boom of the heavy wrecker and a large strap were used to secure the dump from slipping down.
Photo by Stephen M wallaceMutual aid brought in Getzville Heavy Rescue from Erie County
Photo by Stephen M wallaceA dangerous look under the dump on its side on the wet road
Photo by Stephen M WallaceThe driver was able to be removed from the driver side and rushed to the Trauma Center
Photo by Stephen M wallaceThe victim was removed an was taken to ECMC. It was about 33 minutes for a safe removal
The call came out around 10:00 A.M. on April 18th reporting serious injuries at Campbell Boulevard and Lockport Road for a tractor-trailer vs. dump truck. The impact spun the huge dump truck on its side, with the driver side almost on the ground and the passenger side wheels in the air. The truck came within a few feet of taking down the major power poles on the corner.
Niagara County Sheriffs, New York State Police and DEC all responded to the report of the accident. The impact had the driver trapped inside, and the tractor-trailer was keeping the driver side from smashing into the ground. There was also a large amount of diesel fuel that was flowing down the road as the tanks were ripped open. The Wendelville Chief hit the mutual aid alert and Getzville Heavy Rescue was called in from Erie County. The call also went out for a Niagara County large wrecker to use a point of strap securing on the dump. A number of EMS Paramedics responded to the scene. Various surrounding fire companies sent their Fire Police units to close down a number of roads. The Emergency Service Coordinator also responded. One of the first on the scene was veteran Niagara County Sheriff's Deputy and Paramedic David Gantz, who risked entering the crush zone to get a quick evaluation of the driver of the dump truck.
Firefighters and rescue members placed a number of securing devices on the airborne side. A firefighter climbed up on the passenger side, which was in the air, to talk to the driver inside. Before the large wrecker was able to get its boom up and a strap was placed to secure the dump, a number of various personnel entered into the crush zone to examine or look at the situation.
Niagara County HazMat team was toned out to the scene, and all three units rolled up during the rescue. The members quickly got down material and dikes to try to stop the flow of fuel into the drains. Once the strap was in place about 33 minutes later, the driver was taken out through the driver's side and rushed to Erie County Medical Center, the region Trauma Center.
The road was shut down for a long period of time to investigate the accident, and clean the spill. The driver of the tractor-trailer was issued five universal traffic tickets.
No information from the author.