Chief: Firefighters help injured trucker after tractor trailer crashed into their fire engine

ELGIN, SC After a tractor trailer crashed into their fire engine, two firefighters on board left their badly-damaged engine to provide care to the injured truck driver until EMS arrived.

Engine 10 from Lugoff Fire-Rescue responded as backup to reports of a fast-moving woods fire threatening a home near Smyrna Road around 12:45 p.m. Wednesday, according to a news release from the department.

While traveling to the scene to assist crews from Lugoff Brush Truck and Doby’s Mill Fire Department, the fire truck passed an empty wood chip tractor trailer on U.S. 1 near Whitehead Road. The fire truck reportedly had activated its lights and sirens.

The tractor trailer then suddenly turned left into the path of the engine, and the two collided, the release stated.

Both firefighters exited the engine and provided care to the truck driver until EMS could make a transport to Kershaw Health. The firefighters were later taken to the hospital and were released later that evening.

The release did not name the firefighters as they continue to undergo post incident debriefing due to the emotional trauma, Ray said.

Lugoff Fire-Rescue Chief Dennis Ray said the department is fortunate to not have had more vehicles involved in the crash at the busy intersection. He also credited seat belts for saving the lives of the firefighters.

“I am proud of the professionalism of our firefighters to be involved in such a traumatic crash yet still provide immediate assistance to the driver of the other vehicle,” Ray said. “We hope he was released as well and is in good health.”

Both the cab of the tractor trailer and the fire engine sustained major damage.

Ray said the engine is a big loss to the department’s fleet but the health of the staff is more important.

“They were able to go home that day, so our most important mission was still fulfilled,” he said.

Lugoff Fire-Rescue responded to six calls for service Wednesday, not including the engine crash.

The SC Highway Patrol is investigating the wreck, which caused some traffic backups in the area afterward.

Ray said this was the first crash involving fire engines at his department since he became chief six years ago.

“I can say, without a doubt, that I certainly pray it is our last,” Ray said.

This story was originally published July 14, 2016 at 4:14 PM with the headline "Chief: Firefighters help injured trucker after tractor trailer crashed into their fire engine."