HUBERT, SOUTH CAROLINA
On the afternoon of Saturday, December 4, 2021, a HVFD Chief was driving along with his crew in their Fire Truck returning to their district from a local community Annual Christmas Parade when a tire blew out on the apparatus.
After the tire blew, the rig became uncontrollable and the experienced Chief took command of the apparatus, performing defensive driving tactics and successfully keeping it upright. However, the truck would impact a driveway pipe and arrive at a violent halt injuring its firefighters.
The apparatus was traveling on back roads at a speed of 40-miles-per-hour to avoid delay of the route because they were located at the beginning of the parade succession.
With one firefighter seriously hurt and others suffering bruises and non-life-threatening injuries, Mutual Aid and Incident Cooperators responded urgently to the accident scene.
Incident Cooperators include the Western Carteret FD, Swansboro FD, Bear Creek FD, Onslow County Sheriff’s Dept., Swansboro PD, Onslow County EMS, Air Link, Onslow Memorial, Vidant Medical and Naval Hospital.
The condition of the injured is unknown but the Department states he was expecting a second surgery on Sunday.
Firefighters recognize the dangers of driving these large vehicles and here is their take on it:
“Anyone who has ever driven a large vehicle especially a firetruck knows what that means. As an engineer we are responsible for not only the truck, and people around us, but the lives of our fellow crew members as well.” – HVFD
We ask our readers to continue to pray for and keep the injured crews in your daily thoughts. They will all need help with emotional, mental, and physical healing.
Photos Credit | Hubert VFD
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