Truck
strikes horse trailer before
rolling over - killing driver
Mid-Town - January 25, 2001
A tractor-trailer carrying non-hazardous cargo left the roadway and struck a pick-up truck carrying a horse trailer around 2pm today on the New York State Thruway. Traveling westbound at milepost marker 453.3, the tractor-trailer then skidded off the road and up an embankment before striking a cluster of trees.
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| The tractor-trailer apparently sideswiped the horse trailer | The driver was changing a tire when the horse trailer was struck | The impact split the tractor-trailer into four sections |
Evans Center volunteers along with a Rural/Metro paramedic ambulance and crew chief responded and found the tractor-trailer split into four separate sections and the driver had suffered an obvious death.
The driver of the pick-up truck was changing a tire at the time of the accident but miraculously was not injured. The five horses in the trailer also escaped injury.
The impact split the tractor-trailer into one section made up of the windshield, dashboard and engine block while the frame and chassis were separated from the rest. The section consisting of the sleeper, cab floor and seats were turned on their side and pinned the driver in the wreckage around the tree.
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| Firefighters were faced with the challenging task of disassembling the wreckage | A large wrecker had to be used to pull the cab away from the tree | Evans Center firefighters then removed the body which was pinned between the wreckage and the tree |
The Erie County Hazardous Materials Response Team (ECHO) was dispatched to handle a diesel spill of approximately 175 gallons. A large wrecker from Pinto's Collision and heavy machinery from S. Stock Services, both of Angola, were eventually used to pull the sleeper section away from the tree to allow removal of the driver. The Erie County Medical Examiner was on hand to transport the body.
Investigators from the State Police and Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) remained on scene for several hours. The State Police and NYS Thruway Authority managed traffic control which was reportedly backed up for more than five miles.
Evans Center was assisted by dispatchers from Angola Fire Control.
Firefighting is not for everyone – but volunteering can be. Evans Center offers limited duty memberships in the areas of Fire/Rescue only, Fire Police only, Emergency Medical Services Only, Water Rescue only, or Corporate only. Corporate members support the fire department through administrative, technology, fund-raising, clerical and other non-emergency business functions.
If you or anyone you know are interested in volunteering, please do not hesitate to contact the Evans Center Fire Company at 716/549-1221 or fill our our feedback form or e-mail to: info@ecvfc.org
