(Louisville, KY) -- This morning at 1:10 am, The Worthington Fire Department was dispatched to an automobile accident with a rescue on Interstate 71 near Interstate 265.
Upon arrival Battalion Chief Dan Clark (1803) had a mini van that had crossed the median from the northbound lanes and made contact with a semi in the southbound lanes. The mini van rested upside down in the median and the semi was in the southbound lanes on fire. The drivers of both vehicles suffered serious injuries, and are being treated at a local area hospital.
A passenger in the semi was pronounced dead at the scene.
Chief Gary Yurt (1801) arrived on scene and took Command while (1803) became Operations and Assistant Chief Steve Dellis (1802) was Safety.
Engine 1832 was first on scene in the southbound lane and pulled both 1 3/4 lines with foam to knock down the fire which had engulfed the cab of the semi and ignited the trailer.
Quint 1856 arrived on scene and provided their 500 gallons of water to Engine 1832 who was quickly running out.
Command requested extra engines from St. Matthews and Harrods Creek Fire Departments and a tank from South Oldham Fire Department.
Harrods Creek Engine 1235 arrived on the northbound lane and pulled a 1 3/4 to extinguish the semi.
Tanker 1869 arrived on scene and provided their 2,000 gallons of water to 1832 for ample water supply.
The contents of semi were determined to be hazardous by the placard on trailer.
Command declared a Level III hazmat and the response of the Metro Hazmat Team A to the scene.
Two Louisville Metro Police Officers were transported to a local area hospital after being overcome by fumes.
