OMAHA, Neb. --
Two Omaha firefighters were injured after being hit by an SUV on Interstate 80 late Saturday night.
The two firefighters were assisting with a disabled vehicle near the 42nd Street exit when the SUV driver lost control and hit them. One of the men was pinned under a pole and the other was sent nearly 60 feet down an embankment.
"The other firefighters on the scene went to aid the firefighter and when that happened, another vehicle lost control, rolled down the embankment and almost struck them, too," said Omaha Fire Capt. Jim Gentile.
The two victims were taken to Creighton University Medical Center and were initially listed in critical condition. By Sunday afternoon, they were reported to be alert and in stable condition.
Investigators said the road conditions were very slick at the time. Police have ruled that speed and alcohol were not factors in the crash.
Gentile said crashes of this sort are not uncommon.
"According to the National Fire Protection Association, their stats show that there were 26 firefighters killed because of the same sort of (incident)," he said.
He urged drivers to be especially cautious during the upcoming winter months.
"Being that it is the first snowfall of the year, we recommend that you just evaluate your speed, take into account the conditions at hand and then just drive slower and be more aware," he said.
