March 30--Six Friendship Fire Company firefighters escaped serious injury after their engine rolled over Saturday evening while responding to a vehicle crash, according to Hellam Township Fire Chief Fred Smeltzer.
The engine out of Hellam Township was responding to a crash at Yorkana and Libhart Mill roads when it rolled onto its side at the intersection of Yorkana and Valley Acres roads, Smeltzer said.
"They were rounding a corner," Smeltzer said. "The truck left the roadway for an unknown reason on the right side and got in the mud and couldn't recover ... It rolled onto its passenger side."
Smeltzer said the truck shared a nearby utility pole as it crashed.
Of the six firefighters, Smeltzer said, "They're OK, all were treated or evaluated and released ... There were no serious injuries because of safety measures in place mandated by the township, that all firefighters are in seat belts."
He said that just after the engine crash, a second rescue came upon it and helped the six firefighters, while a third continued onto the original crash.
Smeltzer said he was not sure what caused the engine to crash, adding that the crash is under investigation by Hellam Township Police.
The engine sustained heavy damage, but it is unknown at this time if it is a total loss, or if can be repaired, he said. A representative from the fire company's insurance carrier responded to the scene, Smeltzer said.
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