Western Bus Parts & Services mechanic George McCorkell assesses damage to a District of North Vancouver fire engine. photo Mike Wakefield, North Shore News
Fire engine sideswiped by semi truck
Brent Richter / North Shore News
January 1, 2016 01:00 AM
It’s the mother of all fender benders.
A District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services engine is off the road and facing up to $100,000 in repairs after it was struck by a transport truck.
District firefighters were attending to a minor collision on the Main Street off-ramp during the morning commute on Christmas Eve when the incident happened.
“A semi-trailer came around off the bridge and sideswiped straight down the entire side of (the engine), doing substantial damage,” said assistant fire chief Mike Cairns. “The driver left the scene.”
Firefighters had put out safety cones and signs ordering drivers to slow down, Cairns noted.
The RCMP’s Port Mann Highway Patrol is investigating and has spoken with the driver, thanks to a witness at the scene giving them a description of the truck.
“That investigation is still ongoing. No one’s been ticketed as of yet but members are speaking to the driver and the trucking company involved,” said Cpl. Ronda McEwen, RCMP spokeswoman. “Based on the totality of the circumstances and everyone we spoke to, it does seem as though the driver may not have even been aware of striking the fire truck and continuing on. It’s not, obviously, a common hit-and-run where people are aware of the circumstance and then flee and try to evade any apprehension.”
The damage should be covered by the trucker’s insurance, Cairns said.
The collision demonstrates the risk firefighters face when dealing with roadside incidents, especially when drivers don’t slow down, Cairns added.
That is “one of the more dangerous things crews have to deal with,” he said. - See more at: http://www.nsnews.com/news/fire-engine-sideswiped-by-semi-truck-1.2142422#sthash.vkAyDFw9.dpuf