A large fallen branch caused a crash that trapped a Richmond firefighter inside a tower ladder Monday.

Officials said the driver in front of the fire apparatus slammed on his brakes and the fire apparatus slammed into the truck hauling a dumpster. 

Richmond Police Chief Dave Teske told The Voice that “half of the tree” fell into the roadway on Division Road around 7:30 p.m.

Teske said part of the cab was crushed and the 45-year-old firefighter was trapped inside, requiring extrication from other firefighters. 

The firefighter was taken to the hospital, but Teske said, “It was serious, but not as serious as it could have been."

The apparatus was not responding to an emergency, but was bring driven for a routine truck check.

Mutual aid partners will assist Richmond until the damage can be assessed.