Three people were killed when their passenger car collided with a Washington fire apparatus Monday.
The incident happened just before 4:30 p.m. along U.S. Highway 395 near Loon Lake, about 30 miles north of Spokane, The Spokesman-Review reports. According to Spokane Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer, a northbound-traveling car crossed the center line and collided head-on with a Stevens County Fire District 1 apparatus that was responding to an emergency call.
The rig's driver said the car caught fire immediately after the crash, and flames quickly spread to the cab of the apparatus. Two firefighters were forced to climb out of the vehicle through the back before calling for help, which included crews to put out the fire and a Life Flight helicopter.
The firefighters were taken to the hospital with injuries that weren't considered life-threatening. None of the occupants inside the passenger car survived the collision.
“We are deeply saddened by today’s tragic collision; we are a part of this community, and our hearts are with the families and friends of those who have died,” Stevens County Fire District 1 Chief Mike Bucy said in a statement. “I am thankful for the assistance of the Washington State Patrol, the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office, and the many community partners who have assisted with the response.”
It's not clear what made the passenger cross the center line and strike the apparatus. The accident is under investigation.
