Helicopter Damaged by Unoccupied South Roane County, TN, Fire SUV
A new Lifestar helicopter sustained extensive damage when it was struck by an unoccuped South Roane County Fire Department SUV.
South Roane County Fire Chief Mike Curtis said he's uncertain how the 2009 Ford Explorer rolled approximately 150 feet into an awaiting Lifestar medical helicopter, BBBTV reported.
“I have no explanation at this time for how the vehicle rolled. It was on level ground, and we’re planning to recreate the scene to determine what might have happened," he told reporters, adding that the SUV was in Park after the collision.
The windshield of the helicopter which had less than 100 hours of flight time was shattered, and the front end sustained damage.
The pilot was not hurt.
The medics from the helicopter treated the patient with a head injury in the ambulance as they headed to UT Medical Center in Knoxville.
Susan Nicol | News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.
