Adams County, Ohio Firefighters Face Perilous Weekend

March 21, 2005
Firefighters in Adams County had a busy and dangerous weekend, as two firefighters suffered serious injuries from an accident involving the West Union Fire Department's new truck.
WEST UNION, Ohio -- Firefighters in Adams County had a busy and dangerous weekend, as two firefighters suffered serious injuries from an accident involving the West Union Fire Department's new truck.

On Friday afternoon, dispatchers called for assistance at a grass fire near a structure east of West Union, sending firefighters driving east on Ohio 125.

Near the West Union corporation limits the driver of West Union's newest firefighting tanker truck, certified firefighter Troy Jolly, apparently overcorrected at a curve in the road, said Stephen Caraway, a friend of Jolly's.

The water laden vehicle then rolled a complete revolution, coming to rest on its wheels in a ditch and trapping the firefighters inside.

Jolly and fellow firefighter Preston Banks were injured in the wreck, which crushed the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Jolly and Banks were both transported to Adams County Hospital for evaluation of their injuries. Jolly was then flown to University Hospital in Cincinnati.

Jolly suffered from multiple broken and fractured ribs, two punctures to his lungs, a collapsed lung and a concussion, said Caraway.

On Sunday afternoon Jolly's fellow firefighters from Station 18 sent a special detail to University Hospital to visit Jolly.

"I don't remember much about the accident. I think they had to use the jaws to get me out," said Jolly from his hospital bed Sunday.

Jolly, who is also the pastor of Solid Rock Church in West Union, thanked God for surviving the wreck.

"I am so glad I can talk about it. I feel fine," said Jolly. "I think I'll be alright and look forward to getting back to work. I'm glad Banks is okay."

Banks sustained three fractured ribs, an injury to his left knee and was bruised all over, said his fiance Angela Maddy.

"He broke his glasses, too, but, he's more important than a pair of glasses," said Maddy.

Banks was released from the hospital and stood with his fellow firefighters to salute the 216th Engineering Battalion of the Ohio National Guard at their welcome celebration Saturday.

As firefighters and police officers from West Union, Manchester, Sprigg Township and Peebles stood in their dress uniforms to welcome the 216th Battalion, the alarm sounded for a chimney fire at the Bentonville home of Barbara Davis on Ohio 41.

Dress coats were quickly replaced by protective bunker gear as firefighters from Manchester and Sprigg Township rushed to the scene.

Thick smoke billowed over the roof of the house, shrouding the source, as hoses were attached to the pumper trucks.

Despite endangering firefighters some motorists on Ohio 41 were determined to weave their way through the firefighters and emergency equipment until police officers from Manchester were able take control of the roadway.

Firefighters used ladders to access the roof near the fire which would sometimes flare nearly five feet above the rim of the chimney.

At one point one of three adjacent chimneys belched soot and ash into the face of Captain Lonnie Bilyeu as he checked for more smoke.

Within 20 minutes the fire appeared to be under control and damage to the house was limited to some smoke, said Bilyeu of the Manchester Fire Department.

"We were lucky it was an exterior chimney with a liner," said Bilyeu, "The fire was contained to a blockage in the liner."

They were able to extinguish the fire in time to return to the celebration in West Union.

Adams County Dispatch said West Union Police Department is investigating the Friday crash.

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