A Trenton ladder truck and a Hamilton engine sustained extensive damage after crashing into each other at the intersection of Passaic and Calhoun streets in Trenton, NJ

Two fire trucks sustained “extensive damage” after crashing into each other at the intersection of Passaic and Calhoun streets Saturday morning, city fire Battalion Chief Todd Willever said.

Eight firefighters from two companies sustained minor injurers after a Trenton ladder truck and a Hamilton engine collided around 10:30 a.m. Both were responding to a call on the western side of town, Willever said.

The firefighters were all taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital for observation. All were released with non-life-threatening injuries, fire officials said.

Willever said the cause of the crash remains under investigation, but excessive speed was not an issue. The trucks have been taken out of service.


Firefighters can be very reckless while responding to various calls.  They speed and speed and speed and crash, and kill or injure people or themselves and cause a lot of damage.  We are sure they will not pay for the extensive damage to the fire truck and the fire engine, and they certainly will not pay anything for the hospital bills.  They need to be forced to slow down.
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TRENTON, NJ - Two fire trucks sustained "extensive damage" after crashing into each other at the intersection of Passaic and Calhoun streets Saturday morning, city fire Battalion Chief Todd Willever said.

Eight firefighters from two companies sustained minor injurers after a Trenton ladder truck and a Hamilton engine collided around 10:30 a.m. Both were responding to a call on the western side of town, Willever said.

The firefighters were all taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital for observation. All were released with non-life-threatening injuries, fire officials said.

Willever said the cause of the crash remains under investigation, but excessive speed was not an issue. The trucks have been taken out of service.

Earlier in the day, firefighters rescued two dogs and a cat from a three-alarm fire on Hamilton Avenue. Fire engulfed two three-story homes that were vacant and caused the interior collapse of several floors.


10/28/17 Three-Alarm Fire Trenton NJ 200 Block of Hamilton Ave - Entrapment pic.twitter.com/0vqV1ioT5k -- Urban Fire Training (@UrbanFireTrain) October 28, 2017

Willever said no one was inside the home when firefighters arrived on scene. The fire began on the first floor, but the cause remains under investigation, he said.

Willever said the Hamilton engine involved in the crash briefly responded to the early morning fire before being sent back to headquarters. The crash occurred when the truck was responding to an alarm activation call on Glenwood Avenue. 

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Sunday, October 29, 2017 12:03PM

TRENTON, N.J. --

Authorities say two fire trucks headed to the same call crashed in New Jersey's capital city, injuring eight firefighters.

Trenton fire officials say the crash occurred around 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of Passaic and Calhoun streets. The cause of the accident remains under investigation, but officials say speed was not a factor.

The Trenton ladder truck and the Hamilton engine were both headed to a fire alarm activation call in Trenton. Eight firefighters overall were treated for minor injuries at a hospital and were later released.

Their names have not been disclosed. But officials say firefighters from both companies were hurt in the accident.

Firefighters can be very reckless while responding to various calls.  They speed and speed and speed and crash, kill people or themselves and cause a lot of damage.  They need to be forced to slow down.

Plymouth, NY Fire Chief Frank Fowlston, 60, died in a fire at his home early Monday

Frank Fowlston was known to work as many as 100 hours a week.

That may be why his son, Frank Fowlston Jr., remembers his father as one of the "hardest working men" in his life.

Fowlston, 60, died Monday morning in a fire at his home on 108 County Route 21 in Plymouth, according to Fowlston Jr.

Fowlston was the Chief of the Plymouth Volunteer Fire Department.

Fowlston Jr. said the fire was first reported around 2 a.m. Monday morning at his father's home. There were no other people in the residence at the time of the fire, Fowlston Jr. said.

"He was funny, always liked to smile, joke around," Fowlston Jr. said of his father.

As of Monday evening, the Plymouth Volunteer Fire Department did not release any information and plan to issue a statement in the coming days.

Fowlston served the Plymouth Volunteer Fire Department for 12 years and was very excited to be voted into the position, Fowlston Jr. said.

"He loved everything about the fire department and the service," he said.

He recalls his father always attending parades as a representative of the fire department. He took great care of the fire truck, and taught younger kids about firefighting.

Fowlston's jobs at Deb El Food Products in Sherburne (formerly known as Egg Low Farms) and at the fire department were his main priorities according to Fowlston Jr., who said his father worked in the maintenance department at Egg Low Farms for about 20 years.

"He kept everything running 12-17 hours a day," Fowlston Jr. said.

But he worked hard to care for his family, too.

When Fowlston's daughter, Amy Cox, had her appendix removed, she said her father was by her side the whole time. And when her boyfriend left her when she was eight months pregnant, her father stepped in to buy her groceries and pay her rent.

“If you were in trouble he was very good,” Cox said.

And in his spare time, Cox said, her father watched NASCAR.

"He wasn't very affectionate with his words but he always took care of everyone," Fowlston Jr. said. "Growing up, he was always there for us when we needed him. He may not have always had the words to say it, but he showed it by his action. He was definitely a good dad."

In a Facebook post published on the Plymouth Volunteer Fire Department's Facebook page Monday evening, the department wrote "Rest In Peace Chief Fowlston. We will take it from here."

Fowlston is survived by his son Frank, daughter-in-law Danielle Fowlston and their children Tre, Caydin, and Skyler Fowlston; daughter Amy Cox, son-in-law Tony Cox and Amy's children Alexis, Cheyenne, Tritstan and Aiden; and son Shawn Fowlston and his children Zachary and Dominic.

Here is the info posted on his Facebook pages:

Intro

• Worked at Plymouth Volunteer Fire Department
• Went to Sherburne-Earlville Central School
• Lives in Plymouth, New York
• From Norwich, New York

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Plymouth fire chief dies in house fire 


 October 30, 2017

Plymouth Volunteer Fire Dept.

PLYMOUTH, N.Y. (WBNG) -- Plymouth Fire Chief Frank Fowlston died in a fire early Monday, according to the Chenango County Bureau of Fire.

County officials say the fire at Fowlston's home, 108 County Road 21, was reported around 2 a.m.

Fowlston, a longtime member of the Plymouth Volunteer Fire Department, was the only one home at the time, according to investigators.

The Chenango County Sheriff's Office and the Chenango County Bureau of Fire are investigation what caused the fire.

Wrongful death lawsuits filed against FirstEnergy in deaths of two contractor employees, Kevin Bachner, 34, of South Side Slopes, and John Gorchock, 42, of Brookline, working for the contractor Enerfab at FirstEnergy's Bruce Mansfield Plant at Shippingport

Wrongful death lawsuits filed against FirstEnergy in deaths of two contractor employees at Shippingport plant


The lawsuits said the workers were told there would be only water in the pipe.


  Updated: 5:50 PM EDT Oct 30, 2017


PITTSBURGH, PA —

Two wrongful death lawsuits have been filed in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court on behalf of the widows and children of the two contractor employees who died while working at the FirstEnergy power plant at Shippingport, Beaver County.


Kevin Bachner, 34, of South Side Slopes, and John Gorchock, 42, of Brookline, were killed while working for the contractor Enerfab at FirstEnergy's Bruce Mansfield Plant at Shippingport. They died after being exposed to toxic fumes released from a pipe they were repairing in an confined underground concrete pit.

The lawsuits said the workers were told there would be only water in the pipe. The suits said the pipe released dangerous hydrogen sulfide gas that killed the two men before emergency responders could get to them. Three other workers were injured in the incident. They were identified by police at the time as Mark Wagner, 31, of Pulaski; Thomas Cantwell, 31, of Crafton; and Michael Gorchock, 43, of Pittsburgh. Michael and John Gorchock were brothers.

Bachner is survived by his wife and two sons, ages 3 and 1. John Gorchock is survived by his wife and two daughters, ages 10 and 7.

The lawsuit alleges FirstEnergy was negligent and failed to take the appropriate steps to protect the workers. The suit seeks damages for pain and suffering and for lost lifetime earnings to provide for their families.

In an emailed statement, FirstEnergy told Pittsburgh's Action News 4, "FirstEnergy's internal investigation into the tragic fatal accident involving two contract workers is ongoing, and we are unable to comment on the litigation at this time."

State troopers and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration were investigating the fatal accident at the power station, which is FirstEnergy's largest coal-fired plant.

No court dates have been set yet. The lawsuits are seeking a jury trial.

==================

Thursday, August 31, 2017

Two Enerfab workers, Kevin Bachner, 34, and John Gorchock, 42, of Pittsburgh, are dead and three others were being treated for injuries after a hydrogen sulfide gas leak at the Bruce Mansfield Power Station in Shippingport, Beaver County

John Gorchock, 42, of Pittsburgh, is dead  after a hydrogen sulfide gas leak at the Bruce Mansfield Power Station in Shippingport, Beaver County

 

Kevin Bachner, 34, of Pittsburgh, dead, H2S poisoning

SHIPPINGPORT, Pa. (KDKA) – Two workers are dead and three others were being treated for injuries after a gas leak early Wednesday morning at the Bruce Mansfield Power Station in Shippingport, Beaver County.

Pennsylvania State Police say troopers and emergency crews were called to the power plant around 1:15 a.m. The plant is owned by FirstEnergy and employs about 350 workers.


According to State Police, the Enerfab workers were doing contract work with Penn Energy at the plant. They were working in a well-type area to remove an elbow joint from a pipe.

Two men were in a pit below, one was on a ladder and the other two were about 20 to 50 feet on a wall above.

When they removed the elbow joint, it released hydrogen sulfide gas.

“The line was not supposed to be charged, obviously. They got to the last bolt to crack it open and when they did so, this nauseous gas… hydrogen sulfide type mixture immediately incapacitates you,” State Police Lt. Eric Hermick said.

Two of the five workers were unable to make it out of the well and died as a result. They have been identified as Kevin Bachner, 34, of Pittsburgh, and John Gorchock, 42, of Pittsburgh.

Three other workers inhaled the gas, but were able to get out of the well. They were transported by helicopter and ambulance to nearby medical facilities.

They have been identified as Mark Wagner, 31, of Pulaski; Thomas Cantwell, 31, of Crafton; and Michael Gorchock, 43, of Pittsburgh.

One was taken to Heritage Valley Hospital in Beaver. The other two were being treated at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh.

News of the accident hit especially hard at the Boilermakers Union Hall on Banksville Road. John Gorchock’s wife, Lisa, is on the staff there.

Family friend Anthony Sabat says, “John was a great human being who loved his family. His wife Lisa and three kids were top priority, second to none. John was easy to get along with, funny, happy all the way around.”

As for Bachner, friends say he was about as “Pittsburgh” as you can get. He was a devoted husband and a proud father of two, ages 1 and 3.

His friend Tony Kostelnik says, “He loved his family, he loved all sports. He worked hard for this family and traveled a long ways for some jobs for them. So sad it had to end that way.”

Three members of the Boilermakers crew survived, including Gorchock’s brother, Michael, who is in Allegheny General Hospital along with Wagner, both are listed in stable condition at Allegheny General.

Cantwell was taken to Heritage Valley Beaver, where he was treated and released. Back home in Ingram, Cantwell is resting and not wanting to talk about what happened.

He said, “I really don’t want to think about it, I lost some very good friends today.”

“This plant has a terrific work history. They’re very safety conscious. It’s surprising that something like this happened. It must have been a real unexpected mishap,” Rohn Sambol said.

State police say first responders did all they could to rescue the men that were trapped, but it was too late.

“It’s probably second-worst type of situation to respond to because you want to help somebody that’s in a life-threatening situation. But, you already see that there’s people that are down that already tried to get over to them or that are close to it. That’s heart-wrenching. I compare that to going into a school shooting,” Lt. Hermick said.

FirstEnergy has released the following statement:

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of those who died in this tragic accident. Our thoughts and prayers are also with those who were injured, and we wish them a quick recovery.”

A FirstEnergy spokeswoman said there was absolutely no danger to other workers in the plant or people living in the surrounding area following the incident.

The Bruce Mansfield Power Station is FirstEnergy’s largest coal-fired power plant. It’s located along the Ohio River, approximately 25 miles northwest of Pittsburgh.

OSHA will also be investigating the incident.


==============



I wish I could get on here and say it's not true. I wish this was a bad dream. I wish I could hug my best friend again, even for a split second. I wish I didn't have to tell my babies that the absolute best daddy in the entire world isn't here anymore. He was truly my other half my heart and soul.

I am completely numb and speechless about this whole tragedy. Kevin worked day in and day out like a dog to provide the best for us.

Thank you to everyone that had reached out. I will keep everyone updated as soon as arrangements are finalized.

Please keep my boys & the rest of our family in your prayers




 Kerri Bachner and Kevin Bachner


==============


I would like to give my condolences to the families of Kevin Bachner & John Gorchock. Plus the others who are in critical condition Mark Wagner & Thomas Cantwell & Micheal Gorchock. All who are my brothers in solidarity out of Boilermakers Local 154. A tragic day at Shippingport. Love y'all & I will miss y'all.

Anthony Lucas 


===============



These are the faces to this morning's accident at FirstEnergy's Bruce Mansfield Power Plant early this morning.

John Gorchock was a father to two little girls. Had countless friends and family who will miss him dearly. Family that's also praying for his older brother, Michael, who a friend tells me is in an Intensive Care Unit today. John Gorchock was 42.

Kevin Bachner was just 34 years old. As his picture shows, he was an avid Pirates fan and also a father to two little boys. Friends say Bachner worked incredibly hard to support his family.

Both men were killed when a pipe they were working on that was thought to have been de-activated spewed hydrogen sulfide gas out. Both men died at the scene.

Please keep their families and friends in your thoughts and prayers tonight, along with the three people who were hurt in this accident.

Construction worker injured after material fell about 15 or 20 feet and hit the man in Seattle, WA

SEATTLE, WA - A worker at a Belltown-area construction site was injured Monday morning when a load of material fell and hit him, fire officials said.


Seattle firefighters and medics responded to the scene, near 4th Avenue and Blanchard Street, at about 9:50 a.m. after receiving reports of a construction accident.

The construction worker, a 30-year-old man, was taken to Harborview Medical Center in stable condition.

Kristin Tinsley of the Seattle Fire Department said initial reports indicated the material fell about 15 or 20 feet and hit the man.

According to unconfirmed reports, the material that fell was plywood.


Injuries From Falling and Unsecured Objects
 Unfortunately, unnecessary injuries from falling objects on construction sites are common. When tools, building materials, debris and other relatively heavy objects accelerate to high speeds in the process of falling, they cause catastrophic and potentially fatal injuries to construction workers below. Even an object as small as a bolt can cause serious injury if dropped from a number of stories above a worksite onto a construction worker. Heavy winds can cause unsecured construction materials or equipment to fall and strike workers.Catastrophic Injuries from Falling Objects

Because falling objects are a known hazard in the construction industry, the Washington Administrative Code and other government regulations require that construction companies adopt regulations to require that objects overhead are properly secured to prevent falling objects from hitting workers. When these standards are violated by construction companies or contractors, construction workers struck by falling objects can sustain serious head injuries, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or other disabling injuries that can end careers and destroy families.

================





It was August 2014 when developer Lobsang Dargey broke ground with Seattle mayor Ed Murray on the 40-story Belltown mixed-use tower. Almost exactly a year later development stopped when Dargey was accused of pilfering millions from investors on the project. Now a judge has ruled that a development partnership between Binjiang Tower Corp and Molasky Group can take over the project and attempt to reboot it.

Currently just a hole in the ground along 4th Avenue between Blanchard and Lenora streets, the hotel/apartment complex could begin construction again if a new deal is confirmed by August, two years since the initial groundbreaking. Deal confirmation must be approved by Dargey as well as all of the foreign investors who committed $83M to the project in the hopes of receiving EB-5 visas, which is now no longer in play.

Part of the deal would require the new development group to pay $1.8M towards Lobsang Dargey's attorney fees, something the SEC reportedly opposed. The original plan for the tower included 342 residential units (most of which would be condos), 142 hotels rooms, 2,743 square-feet of retail space, and 329 parking spaces.

An electrician has died after fell off an 8-foot ladder and suffered traumatic injuries at the construction site of the new Milwaukee Bucks arena in downtown Milwaukee.

MILWAUKEE, WI

An electrician has died after an accident at the construction site of the new Milwaukee Bucks arena in downtown Milwaukee.

According to a news release from the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office, a 57-year-old Menomonee Falls man was working at the site on 4th Street when he began complaining of chest pain and fell off an eight-foot ladder last Wednesday around 1 p.m.

The man suffered "traumatic injuries," according to the medical examiner's office, and was taken to Froedtert Hospital. He was pronounced dead Saturday evening. The cause of death has not yet been released. An autopsy was performed Monday, the medical examiner's office says.



================
MILWAUKEE, WI

A 57-year-old electrician has died after falling from an eight-foot ladder at the new Milwaukee Bucks arena construction site last week, the Milwaukee County medical examiner's office announced Monday.

The Menomonee Falls man was working at the site last Wednesday when he complained of chest pain and fell from the ladder about 1 p.m., suffering several traumatic injuries, the medical examiner's office said in a news release.

The man was transported to Froedtert Hospital, where he died Saturday afternoon.

An autopsy was performed Monday. Cause of death is pending.




=========================




MILWAUKEE, WI - A 57-year-old man from Menomonee Falls died after falling off a ladder while working on the construction site of the future Milwaukee Bucks arena Wednesday.

The man was working as an electrician on the Wisconsin Entertainment and Sports Center construction site, when, around 1 p.m., he started complaining about chest pain and fell off an 8-foot ladder and suffered traumatic injuries, according to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office.

He was transported to Froedtert Hospital, where he was pronounced dead Saturday around 5:30 p.m.

Officials performed an autopsy Monday. The cause of death and release of reports is still pending, the medical examiner's office said.The construction site is at at 901 North 4th St.

Two people are dead after a fiery crash involving four 18-wheelers on I-10 East between Grosse Tete and LA 415 in Louisiana when the fourth big rig rear-ended the third one and pushed it into the others

GROSSE TETE, LA (WAFB) -

Two people are dead after a fiery crash involving four 18-wheelers early Monday morning, according to officials.

Louisiana State Police reported it happened on I-10 East between Grosse Tete and LA 415 in West Baton Rouge Parish just after 2 a.m.

I-10 East was reopened after being shut down for more than 10 hours.

Senior Tpr. Bryan Lee with LSP Troop A said a suspected drunk driver crashed and flipped on I-10 East. He added the crash caused a backup on I-10 East. He explained three 18-wheelers were stopped behind each other when the fourth big rig rear-ended the third one and pushed it into the others.

LSP said the two people in that fourth 18-wheeler were the ones who died in the crash. The names of the victims have not been released.

The investigation is ongoing.

Another tragic accident that was avoidable if the fourth rig's driver was not speeding or was not inattentive.   Darkness was a factor, but people need to slow down at night.

DO NOT OVERLOAD THE ELECTRIC OUTLETS: Fire from overloaded circuit from a microwave in Cleveland

Fire under control on 156. @ClevelandFire quick response. Fire from overloaded circuit from a microwave. Be careful not to overload outlets!

An electrical malfunction of operating equipment likely caused a fire at the C & R Mini Mart near Lebanon, Oregon

LEBANON, Ore. – Investigators say an electrical malfunction of operating equipment likely caused a fire at the C & R Mini Mart near Lebanon Monday morning.

Lebanon Fire responded to the incident just before 5 a.m. at 31054 Santiam Highway.

The small market is located outside of Lebanon near Waterloo.

Firefighters knocked down the fire from the outside. They remained on scene until 7 a.m.

Officials say the business owners also live on the property, about 50 feet from the store, but their home was not damaged.

The store closed at 10 p.m. and investigators say they cause was likely electrical and accidental.

No one was injured and the owner said the property was insured.

Anyone with information about the fire should contact Deputy Fire Marshal Ken Foster at 541-451-1901.

Former Reds pitcher Ross Powell, 49, and his father Lyle Powell, 72 died of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator running inside their Lawn Doctor van full of chemicals in Collin County, Texas

Ross Powell, who pitched for the Cincinnati Reds in 1993 after the team drafted him in the third round of the 1989 MLB Draft, died of carbon monoxide poisoning, according to a report by CBS 11's Brooke Rogers, and the 49-year-old's body was found along with that of his 72-year-old father, Lyle, in a lawn care van in Texas.  The van was a Lawn Doctor of McKinney and Allen TX.

Ross Powell had just opened his lawn care franchise, Lawn Doctor of McKinney/Allen, last month. Family members say he was extremely close to his father, Lyle, who was in the van with him yesterday.

Investigators are now trying to determine the source of the fumes in the lawn care van.

Powell appeared in nine games for the Reds in 1993, striking out 17 in 16 1/3 innings. The Reds traded Powell to the Houston Astros in April of 1994 with Marty Lister for catcher Eddie Taubensee.

Powell pitched for Houston in 1994 and 1995, and Pittsburgh in 1995.


Lawn Doctor of McKinney and Allen TX is owned and operated by Ross Powell, a long-time resident of McKinney, a Collin County city known for its Victorian-era homes and charming downtown. Part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, McKinney has been in the top five in Money Magazine’s “Best Places to Live in America” list since 2010. According to Ross, “A great-looking yard makes a statement. It shows that you care about the value of your own property, your neighbors’ and your community.”



Ross has a diverse background, including having grown up on a farm and as a former Major League Baseball pitcher! Today, he enjoys building his local lawn care business, and providing a service that is both valued and respected. “What I find great about Lawn Doctor is how I can provide the comprehensive lawn care service and convenience of a national brand, while still having the ability to add the personal touch of a well-known, customer-focused, engaged local owner,” he says.

Ross has two sons in college who work in the business during breaks from school, and they all enjoy the outdoors. Ross goes out for a run every chance he gets, and family barbecues on their back patio are a regular occurrence. “Personally,” Ross adds, “I love the look and feel of a thick, healthy lawn. It just invites you to take your shoes off and go barefoot across it. It lifts yours spirits.”
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COLLIN COUNTY, Texas -- A strange odor is being investigated in Luca, Texas after two people were found unconscious inside a van early Wednesday evening.

A Collin County sheriff's deputy and four firefighters were called to check out the van, which belonged to a lawn care company, at about 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Two people inside the van, believed to be employees of the lawn care company, were pronounced dead. They have been identified as Ross Powell, 49, and Lyle Powell, 72. The medical examiner's office has determined that they died of accidental carbon monoxide toxicity.

When emergency crews opened the door, they were overcome by a strong smell of ammonia, officials said. They had skin irritation, chest pain, nausea, and a dry cough, and were sent to the hospital to be checked out. They have all since been released.

HazMat teams called to the scene found different chemicals inside the van. However, nothing was over the limit as far as being hazardous. No chemicals were labeled as ammonia, although that's how the smell is being described.

Officials say the ambulance and other equipment involved in the investigation will have to be de-contaminated due to the chemicals.

Residents nearby were told to shelter in place, but no one was evacuated.



================



Two men were discovered dead in Lucas Wednesday afternoon in what the Collin County Sheriff’s Office believes was an accident.

Lyle John Powell, 72, and his son, Ross John Powell, 49, were discovered slumped over in their work van at Enchanted Way and Sara Cove by witnesses who called the sheriff’s office at 3:50 p.m., according to Capt. Jim Moody.

Investigators believe, Moody said, that the father and son died from carbon monoxide poisoning given off from a generator running inside their van.

“They do have a theory. They’ve got some witnesses that put it all together for them. I can tell you I believe it was unintentional,” he said. “It’s just a very tragic and horrific accident.”

Moody said the two men were subcontractors for a lawn service. Investigators do not believe that the two men had been sitting in the van “very long at all” before they died, he added.

Moody said he did not know where the Powells resided. William Rohr, a medical examiner based in McKinney, will determine the cause of death.



==================


LUCAS, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) – On Wednesday two men that were found deceased in a work van in Lucas are a father and son. The Collin County Sheriff’s Department said it appears the van rolled to a stop in the cul-de-sac off Thunder Bay Drive and Enchanted Way.

Authorities say the bodies of 49-year-old Ross Powell and his 72-year-old father Lyle were discovered in the lawn care van. Ross Powell had just opened his lawn care franchise, lawn doctor of McKinney/Allen, last month. He had left behind a career in baseball, which included stints as a major league pitcher for Houston, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. Family members say he was extremely close to his 72-year-old father, Lyle, who was in the van with him yesterday.


When a sheriff’s deputy opened the door, he was overcome by fumes.

Hazmat was called in, and neighbors were kept away. “We smelled, almost an ammonia odor but not exactly, and it tasted sweet in the air,” says Lucas EMS worker Aaron Alderdice.

Alderdice was one of the first ones on scene. “We had no idea what was onboard. It was right around the school. We had school buses coming through, kids getting off, walking home, trying to see what we’re doing.”

Alderdice and four colleagues had also been exposed to the fume and were all taken to the hospital for decontamination, as was the sheriff’s deputy. Alderdice was back at work last night, saying he was never worried about himself.



The medical examiner ruled the deaths as carbon monoxide poisoning. Investigators are now trying to determine the source of the fumes in the lawn care van.

3 Amish children in a buggy killed, 6 others critically injured by reckless Dodge 4×4 pickup truck driver in Central Michigan who rear-ended their a horse-drawn buggy

At least three children were killed and six other people were critically injured after a driver in a pickup truck slammed into a horse-drawn buggy early Sunday in central Michigan, officials said.

The crash took place around 8:34 a.m. in Sheridan, located about 45 miles northeast of Grand Rapids, Fox 17 reported.

Michigan State Police told Fox 17 the pickup was traveling eastward when it struck the buggy and "demolished it."

Nine people were riding inside the carriage at the time of the crash, police said.


The driver of the pickup truck was not injured after his truck "demolished" the buggy. (Fox 17)

Michigan State Police said the three children killed were a 7-year-old girl, a 9-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy. The six others occupants of the buggy were transported to area hospitals where they were listed in critical condition.

State police told Fox 17 that the horse survived the fatal accident and "was fine" after the crash.

The driver of the pickup was not injured, and troopers say he was cooperative following the crash, according to Fox 17.

Officials said drugs and alcohol were not factors in the accident, which remains under investigation by the Michigan State Police.



=============



SHERIDAN, Mich. -- Three children died and six other people were seriously injured when a pickup truck hit a horse-drawn buggy near Sheridan on Sunday morning.

The accident occurred at 8:34 a.m. Sunday on East Condensery Road near Townhall Road in Evergreen Township near Sheridan, which is located in south-central Montcalm County.

The Michigan State Police said the pickup truck was eastbound on Condensery when it struck the rear of the eastbound buggy and demolished it. Nine people were riding inside the buggy at the time of the collision.

Troopers said the three children killed were a 7-year-old girl, a 9-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy.

The six other buggy occupants were all transported by ambulance with life-threatening injuries to local hospitals where they were listed in critical condition.

The truck driver, a Sheridan man, was not hurt and was helping the police with information.

The pickup also sustained extensive damage in the crash.

MSP Lt. Rob Davis told FOX 17 that the horse survived and "was fine" after the accident.

Troopers said drugs and alcohol were not factors in the crash, which remains under investigation by the Michigan State Police.


Most likely, the reckless truck driver was trying to pass the buggy and he end-up colliding with it.  An opposite coming vehicle made him unable to do the passing of the buggy feasible.



The reckless truck driver was going behind the buggy during the double yellow line on the roadway.  Then, when the double yellow line stopped, he trying to pass the buggy and he end-up colliding with it.
==================






EVERGREEN TOWNSHIP — Three people are confirmed dead after a Dodge 4×4 truck and horse-drawn buggy crash Sunday morning.   
 
Most likely, the reckless truck driver was trying to pass the buggy and he end-up colliding with it.
Fatalities include a 12-year-old male, a 9-year-old female and a 7-year-old male from Sheridan, all occupants of the buggy.

The six other occupants of the buggy were transported to local hospitals in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, according to Michigan State Police.


Three children died as a result of injuries sustained in a truck and horse-drawn buggy accident Sunday morning. A Dodge 4×4 pickup truck, driven by a Sheridan resident, struck the buggy carrying nine Sheridan residents in Evergreen Township Sunday morning.—Daily News/Emilee Nielsen

At 8:34 a.m., Troopers were dispatched to the scene of the accident on E. Condensary Road, near Wood Road.

According to police, preliminary investigation reveals that the buggy and the pickup truck were both traveling eastbound on E. Condensary Road when the truck collided with the buggy. The truck struck the buggy, causing extensive damage to both vehicles.

The lone occupant of the truck, a Sheridan resident, was uninjured.

The truck’s occupant was found to have been wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision. Restraint usage of the buggy’s occupants is unknown.

Alcohol does not appear to have been a factor in the crash. Other possible contributing factors are still under investigation.


A Dodge 4×4 pickup truck, driven by a Sheridan resident, struck a buggy carrying nine Sheridan residents in Evergreen Township Sunday morning. Three of the buggy’s occupants, a 12-year-old male, a 9-year-old female, and a 7-year-old male, sustained fatal injuries. The remaining occupants were transported to local hospitals via ambulance and helicopter. — Daily News/Emilee Nielsen

LifeNet of Michigan responded to the scene to transport at least one of the accident victims to a hospital in Grand Rapids via helicopter, while other victims were transported by ambulance.

The crash remains under investigation. Names of those involved are not being released at this time.


The reckless truck driver was going behind the buggy during the double yellow line on the roadway.  Then, when the double yellow line stopped, he trying to pass the buggy and he end-up colliding with it.

 Also assisting were the Montcalm County Rescue Division, Sheridan Community Fire Department and Montcalm County EMS, the Lakeview Police Department, the Greenville Department of Public Safety, Safety First Wrecker and Montcalm County Central Dispatch.

As of 10:30 a.m., the road is closed to traffic.