The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Police/Courts

May 6, 2009

Firefighters in Turnpike crash are identified

Fred Pace

Bradley-Prosperity Volunteer Fire Department Chief Bruce James released the names of the firefighters injured in the Tuesday crash of a rescue vehicle on the West Virginia Turnpike near Beckley.

BPVFD Capt. Cindy James, the driver of the vehicle, was treated at Raleigh General Hospital and was released Tuesday.

Firefighter J.K. Tyree was admitted to RGH for overnight observation and was scheduled to be released today.

Mount Hope firefighter Allen Robinson was admitted to RGH with two fractured vertebrae in his back and a laceration on his head.

“He is now in stable condition and is being transferred to the floor,” Chief James said.

BPVFD firefighter Jason Hiser was ejected from the front passenger’s seat, according to the chief. He said Hiser was taken to RGH and was transferred to Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) with a broken pelvis and a dislocated hip.

“He is now in stable condition and is scheduled to go to surgery Wednesday morning,” said Bruce James.

Chief James said updates on the conditions of the firefighters will be released as they become available.

He also described the accident in a prepared statement.

“The crew proceeded northbound to the crossover at approximately mile-marker 49,” he read. “They crossed over to the southbound lane and went south. The crew radioed Raleigh Control (EOC) to find out if the EMS crew who had already gone southbound had found anything. EOC responded that EMS had not gone on scene.”

The chief said as the rescue truck was entering the southbound traffic, a vehicle passing them signaled back behind them.

“They had to go to approximately mile-marker 46.5 to turn back northbound,” he explained. “They crossed over and headed north again. As they passed mile-marker 47.5 the truck started to hydroplane.”

The chief said Capt. James let off of the accelerator and tried to steer out of the skid.

“According to the crew of E-4, who were getting on the North Beckley ramp, the driver about corrected from the skid when the rear tires hit the gravel and the truck started rolling,” Bruce James said.

He said it “looked like the truck exploded in air.”

The accident is being investigated by the West Virginia State Police. Investigators said rain and wet roads were a factor in the crash.

Neither Chief James nor the State Police investigator said if the firefighters were wearing their seatbelts.

“We’re still investigating it at this point,” said Cpl. Chris Payne with the State Police’s Turnpike detachment.

— E-mail:

fpace@register-herald.com

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