A Vermont fire department is helping colleagues at a neighboring New Hampshire department by loaning an apparatus.
The Hartford, VT, Fire Department donated an engine to the Charlestown, NH, Fire Department after that department's newest apparatus was damaged by debris from a collision between a train and a disabled truck, according to the Charlestown department. Firefighters from Charlestown will be able to use Hartford's reserve engine while the department's own vehicle is repaired.
"Hartford happened to have this that they're actually going to be putting up for sale," Charlestown Fire Chief Charles Baraly told WPTZ-TV.
The initial accident happened around 5:30 p.m. Feb. 3—Super Bowl Sunday. A call was received concerning a disabled truck that had gone over the guardrail and was in the middle of railroad tracks on Route 12 in South Charlestown, the department said. Charlestown Engine 1 responded, and emergency dispatch contacted Amtrak in St. Johnsubury, VT, to try to stop the trains.
Unfortunately, there was a seven- to nine-minute delay getting the message to the train, which collided with the disabled truck on the tracks, according to the Charlestown fire department. The train was going about 75 mph when it hit the truck, causing debris to strike the Charliestown engine.
