Fire Rescue News - Firefighter may lose part of foot or leg after truck crashed into tree, utility pole

By FireRescue1 Staff

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A firefighter in Missouri was seriously injured Tuesday when a car crashed into a fire truck, sending it smashing into a utility pole and tree.

Kansas City Firefighter Jeff Smith, who was driving the fire truck, had to be extricated from the wreck and may lose part of his leg or foot, according to KCMO.

The crew was responding to an emergency call when a car crossed the center line, striking the fire truck and sending it off the road.

"It's pretty messed up," Sgt. Bill Mahoney, of the Kansas City Missouri Police Department's Accident Investigation Unit, told KCMO. "After the collision with the car, the fire apparatus went to the right, struck a utility pole and then a tree. So, even though it's a large vehicle, it still took quite a lot of damage."

Firefighter Smith, a 21-year KCFD veteran, was taken to the hospital in serious condition after being extricated while the car driver and her 3-year-old passenger suffered minor injuries.