Ind. FFs in Crash Didn't Wear Seat Belts

The impact raised the engine more than a foot in the air and injured three firefighters

BY SCOTT SMITH

Kokomo Tribune, Ind.

Posted: Tue, 11/03/2009 - 16:41
Updated: Thu, 11/05/2009 - 09:01

Kokomo Fire Chief Pat O'Neill said Monday he was awaiting additional information before commenting on the Saturday accident that injured four and heavily damaged a city fire truck.

But a Kokomo police accident report issued Monday exonerated the three firefighters involved in the crash.

One of those three men, James Newburn, 55, Kokomo, was in stable condition at Howard Regional Health System Monday.

Lisa C. Kessinger, 40, Kokomo, was listed as the driver of a 2008 Chrysler minivan in the KPD report.

According to the report, Kessinger ran a red light before plowing into the left rear axle of the pumper engine. Monday, Kessinger was listed in fair condition at Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis.

Troy Pearson, a witness to the accident, agreed Kessinger ran the light. Person said she didn't appear to even slow before hitting the engine.

The pumper was westbound on Rainbow Drive when it entered the intersection; Pearson said it appeared to be turning north on LaFountain Street when he caught the minivan approaching from the corner of his eye.

None of the three firefighters were wearing seat belts, according to the KPD report. Pearson said the impact was so violent it raised the fire truck more than a foot in the air, and caused the cowling over the engine and the driver's cab to come off its moorings.

The cab/engine covering bounced off the driver/passenger compartment before violently snapping back into place. The fire truck was also spun about 180 degrees by the impact.

O'Neill said he suspects the pumper, a 1986 Ford, will be a total loss. The pumper is normally used as a reserve engine whenever a newer engine is at the garage for maintenance, he said.

The crew of the truck is assigned to Station 4, at Lincoln Road and Webster Street. O'Neill said the truck was coming back from a run when the crash occurred.

All three firefighters complained of pain at the scene, but initially, their injuries were thought to be non-incapacitating. Two of the firefighters, Laronda C. Kirby, 41, and Robert P. Eldridge, 43, were treated and released at a local hospital. Newburn has been hospitalized ever since the crash, with non-life threatening injuries.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service

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3 comments posted

The comments displayed here do not necessarily reflect the view of Firehouse staff. We do not implicitly endorse their content and reserve the right to remove objectionable materials at our own discretion.

In this instance, not having

Submitted by Luvabully on Sat, 11/14/2009 - 12:41.

In this instance, not having wearing a seatbelt probably saved a life. It is the opinion of those who witnessed this crash, that had the firefighter been strapped in on the back of that truck, he most likely would have been crushed when the cab snapped back down. Seatbelts are always the best way to go, but for some reason, the delay in buckling in was a good thing.

Here we go again. No

Submitted by grdragonslayer on Wed, 11/04/2009 - 13:28.

Here we go again. No seatbelts. Will we ever learn?! In my department they would be disciplined up to and including termination. This is a no-brainer people. It should be no-tolerance.

I know one of the

Submitted by weboslh512 on Wed, 11/04/2009 - 08:03.

I know one of the firefighters personally. Yes ,I think they should have had their seatbelts on. But being that I live and work in the Kokomo area in a wrecker service, I have noted on many occaisions of red-light runners and very aggresive driving from the civilian population.

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