A wooden bridge collapsed early Monday morning as a Kentucky fire truck drove over it, sending the rig into a creek.
Lt. Alex Alley was driving the Warfield fire engine to a house fire when the incident occurred about 3 a.m.
The rig fell about 25 feet, and Alley was pinned for a time. Firefighters feared he may drown as the water from the engine caused the creek to rise fast. The rig also acted like a dam, according to WSAZ reports.
Firefighter Rhonda Estepp managed to climb out with the help of a deputy and other firefighters.
"I never thought when I started to cross that bridge, that I wasn't gonna make it," Alley told the reporter. “All I can remember is the hillside as the red lights are beaming off the bushes and water is rushing into the cab."
Firefighter Rhonda Estepp, who's been with the department a year and a half, was in the passenger seat.
“It went in slow motion for me and for Alex, but for the people behind us, they said it seemed like a split second,” she said adding "...It could've been a lot worse, definitely. We're very thankful."
She and Alley were transported to Three Rivers Hospital. Alley has a concussion, while Estepp sustained sprains in her neck, back, and arm.
Nearby departments will be stepping up to handle calls while Warfield sorts out the incident.
The house they were responding to was abandoned, and crews decided to let it burn while they helped their colleagues.
