Fire/Rescue News - Firefighter Struck While Working Crash on Interstate 40
Friday, September 18, 2009
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Thanks to FireNews.net
A firefighter suffered serious injuries when he was struck by a vehicle while helping victims of a tractor-trailer crash that blocked interstate traffic for three hours.
Kirk Lunsford, a Crooked Creek firefighter, sustained injuries to his legs and head. His condition was not immediately available late Friday....Continue Reading
A firefighter suffered serious injuries when he was struck by a vehicle while helping victims of a tractor-trailer crash that blocked interstate traffic for three hours.
Kirk Lunsford, a Crooked Creek firefighter, sustained injuries to his legs and head. His condition was not immediately available late Friday....Continue Reading
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A tractor-trailer driven by Thomas Eugene Mills was speeding down eastbound Interstate 40 about 2.5 miles west of Old Fort when he lost control and struck the concrete median barrier, said Highway Patrol Trooper Carroll Kirkpatrick.
The tractor-trailer rode the barrier for about 800 feet before it overturned, spilling some of its produce load, including lettuce and carrots, Kirkpatrick said. The trooper estimated Mills’ speed at 65 mph. The speed limit for tractor-trailers there is 35 mph.
Lunsford was driving west on I-40 up Old Fort Mountain and saw the crash, Trooper Josh Dowdle said.
“That area of the interstate is Old Fort Fire Department’s responsibility,” Dowdle said. “He saw it and just stopped to help.”
After Lunsford exited his vehicle, a westbound vehicle driven by Shawn Buchanan slammed on his brakes and swerved to avoid a slow-moving vehicle in front of him, Dowdle said. Buchanan lost control and struck Lunsford, pinning him against the median.
Lunsford, 38, of Old Fort, suffered serious injuries to his legs as well as a head injury, Dowdle said. The fireman was taken to Mission Hospital, where he underwent surgery. His condition was not immediately available Friday evening.
Buchanan, 22, of Marion, was cited for reckless driving, Dowdle said.
Mills, the tractor-trailer driver, and his passenger, Michael Hicks, 24, of Chester, S.C., were taken to Mission Hospital for treatment of minor injuries, Kirkpatrick said. Mills, 28, of Rocky Mount, was cited for reckless driving.
The crash closed eastbound I-40 for more than three hours.
A tractor-trailer driven by Thomas Eugene Mills was speeding down eastbound Interstate 40 about 2.5 miles west of Old Fort when he lost control and struck the concrete median barrier, said Highway Patrol Trooper Carroll Kirkpatrick.
The tractor-trailer rode the barrier for about 800 feet before it overturned, spilling some of its produce load, including lettuce and carrots, Kirkpatrick said. The trooper estimated Mills’ speed at 65 mph. The speed limit for tractor-trailers there is 35 mph.
Lunsford was driving west on I-40 up Old Fort Mountain and saw the crash, Trooper Josh Dowdle said.
“That area of the interstate is Old Fort Fire Department’s responsibility,” Dowdle said. “He saw it and just stopped to help.”
After Lunsford exited his vehicle, a westbound vehicle driven by Shawn Buchanan slammed on his brakes and swerved to avoid a slow-moving vehicle in front of him, Dowdle said. Buchanan lost control and struck Lunsford, pinning him against the median.
Lunsford, 38, of Old Fort, suffered serious injuries to his legs as well as a head injury, Dowdle said. The fireman was taken to Mission Hospital, where he underwent surgery. His condition was not immediately available Friday evening.
Buchanan, 22, of Marion, was cited for reckless driving, Dowdle said.
Mills, the tractor-trailer driver, and his passenger, Michael Hicks, 24, of Chester, S.C., were taken to Mission Hospital for treatment of minor injuries, Kirkpatrick said. Mills, 28, of Rocky Mount, was cited for reckless driving.
The crash closed eastbound I-40 for more than three hours.
