Citation

Miles S. Accid. Reconstr. J. 2009; 19(5): 19-22.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Accident Reconstruction Journal)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article describes an accident that occurred on July 8, 2008 when a 25-year-old male volunteer fire fighter was fatally injured after being ejected in a fire truck rollover. The crash occurred as the fire truck was traveling down a winding, steep grade. The paved road had a posted speed limit of 45 mph with a curve warning sign and recommended safe speed of 20 mph through an S-curve. The driver lost control of the fire truck, swerved off the left side of the road, returned to the pavement and overturned on the right side of the road. The victim was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected out of the driver’s side window. The pumper’s 725 gallon water tank detached from the truck body and landed on top of the victim in the street. The victim was pinned underneath the water tank and died from injuries sustained in the crash. The authors focus on the key contributing factors identified in this investigation, which include: non-use of seatbelt, inadequate driver training, driver inexperience with this specific apparatus, an older apparatus with minimal safety features, potentially incorrect installation of a replacement water tank, and difficult road conditions. Recommendations to address each of these factors are provided. Readers are also referred to a series of related resources, including governmental agencies and non-governmental sources for programs that provide funding assistance.