Wednesday, August 12, 2015

12 INJURED AFTER A HORRIFIC COLLISION BETWEEN A FIRE TRUCK AND A RESCUE AMBULANCE IN MIAMI, FLORIDA







Wednesday, August 12, 2015  

Rescue crews rushed firefighters to the hospital after a fire truck and a rescue ambulance collided in Miami Tuesday afternoon.

Authorities said they crashed near 12th Ave and 13th Street.


Firefighters say their fire engine from nearby station 5 was heading North on 12th avenue responding to a fire, when it crashed into the fire rescue truck from the same station that was transporting a grandmother and her two grandchildren to University of Miami Hospital.


The impact was so severe, it smashed the front end of the rescue truck and caused the fire engine to spin, and then flip over on its side.


“We saw the fire truck pass us. The next thing we heard was a popping bang sound,” said witness Joanna Brown.


“It sounded absolutely horrible. You could hear the grinding twisting metal and a big boom,” said witness Sally Matson.


Witnesses watched as firefighters rushed to the scene to transport seven of their colleagues to the hospital. Seven firefighters in total were rushed to trauma at Jackson Memorial Hospital.


“At the end of the day, you’ve got to keep your calm and keep your cool. Obviously tensions run a little higher when you know it’s your people involved,” said Asst. Chief Pete Gomez with the Miam Fire Department.


“It looked like every single fire rescue person in the City of Miami was here. We saw them transporting people,” said Matson.


In an unrelated accident, an adult and one child were taken to the hospital after being involved in a crash at the same intersection.


In total 12 people were taken to the hospital. All are listed as being in stable condition. Two of the children were taken to regular pediatrics out of precaution. None of those being treated have life threatening injuries.


The damage had many here fearing the worst.


“Casualties, that’s what I would think but I hope everyone’s okay,” said witness Melissa Perry.


The assistant fire chief said all of his firefighters wear seat belts, even when rushing to emergencies as they did in the crash.


Authorities are not sure who was at fault for the crash but an investigation is underway.


The crash is causing a traffic tie up in the area. 

CBS MIAMI