Hartselle, AL, Engine Hits House; Two Firefighters Hurt

Aug. 29, 2024
The Hartselle lieutenant in the officer's seat managed to prevent the rig from striking oncoming traffic.

William Thornton

al.com

(TNS)

Two Hartselle firefighters were injured Wednesday afternoon when a fire engine crashed into the corner of an unoccupied house.

According to a statement from the city, the fire department’s Engine No. 2 was returning from a fire call when its driver experienced a medical emergency and lost control of the vehicle.

The fire engine veered into oncoming traffic on Alabama 36 West.

An officer in the passenger seat was able to grab the steering wheel and get the vehicle out of oncoming traffic. However, it left the roadway on the westbound side and struck the corner of an unoccupied house. It then continued on until it struck a tree behind the house. The officer in the passenger seat was able to engage the air brake, the city said.

Both firefighters were transported for medical treatment.

According to the city, the officer received a cut on his hand that required stitches, while the driver is undergoing tests.

“Again thankful for God’s protection, this could have been a much different outcome,” the city said in a statement on social media.

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