MORRISON, Colo. --
A woman and a 12-year-old girl are in critical condition after their sport utility vehicle slammed directly into a fire engine on U.S. Highway 285 near Morrison.
Cindy Matthews, of West Metro Fire, said firefighters were responding to a car crash on southbound 285 at Turkey Creek Road, where a child received cuts to her face.
Firefighters had positioned a fire engine on the road to protect first responders from traffic when a blue SUV drove full-speed into the truck, Matthews said.
Investigators believe that steam from the melting snow on the road was so thick that the driver of the SUV may not have seen the fire engine on the right lane.
No firefighters were injured but the 12-year-old girl and the woman were airlifted to Swedish Hospital in critical condition. They have not been identified but firefighters said the woman was in her 40s.
Highway 285 was closed briefly in both directions so that two medical helicopters could land and pick up the victims.
The crash occurred at about 11:40 a.m. between C-470 and Highway 8.
A fuel tank on the fire engine ruptured and hazardous materials crews were called to the scene to clean up the diesel fuel. Northbound Highway 285 remains closed at this time.
