TITLE:
Fire Engine Struck While Protecting Crews on Highway 360
META:
Mansfield firefighters were uninjured after their engine was struck while responding to a crash. The incident highlights the dangers emergency responders face.
EXCERPT:
A Mansfield fire engine was hit while protecting crews at a crash scene on State Highway 360. Fortunately, the firefighters were uninjured. The driver of the other vehicle was hospitalized.
ALT:
Firefighters respond to a vehicle crash on State Highway 360, with their fire engine visible in the foreground.
ARTICLE:
In the early hours of the morning, a Mansfield fire engine was struck by another vehicle while stationed on State Highway 360 to safeguard crews handling an earlier collision. The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. in the southbound lanes.
The fire engine was positioned as a barrier to protect the firefighters working at the scene when it was hit. Thankfully, all three firefighters inside the vehicle were wearing seat belts and sustained no injuries.
The Mansfield Fire Department emphasized the risks emergency responders face on roadways. “Roadway incidents are among the most dangerous environments for emergency responders,” they stated in a press release. “We understand that lane closures can be frustrating, but they are necessary to protect responders and the people they are helping.”
Following the collision, the firefighters exited the engine and assisted the driver of the vehicle that struck them. That driver was subsequently taken to a hospital for treatment.
The department reminded motorists to slow down, move over, and eliminate distractions when approaching emergency scenes to ensure the safety of everyone involved.