Firetruck rams California eatery; 14 injured

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By JOHN ROGERS

MONTEREY PARK, Calif. (AP) - Fourteen people were injured, including five firefighters, when two firetrucks collided in a Los Angeles suburb Wednesday, sending one careening across a sidewalk and into a restaurant.

One of the victims was in critical condition, officials said.

The crash in Monterey Park left one truck embedded in the restaurant, with shattered glass and rubble scattered across the sidewalk. Chairs and tables were scattered inside.

"There was a loud boom and a lot of shaking. I thought it was an earthquake," said Wendy Wu, a waitress who was in a walk-in freezer when the truck plowed through the front of the restaurant.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20140417/DAD7J3MO0.html

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Firefighters and other officials work the scene of an accident where two firetrucks answering a call collided en route to a fire Wednesday, April 16, 2014, in Monterrey Park, Calif. The collision sent one firetruck careening into a restaurant, leaving 14 people, including several firefighters, injured. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)

[Oldtimeralso]

1. I Understand the Reason.

At intersections such as where this happened you are always using the siren and sometimes the horn, when you are using this equipment it is extremely difficult to hear the siren and horn of an approaching piece of equipment.

[seveneyes]

7. The reason is driver error

One or both drivers made a mistake. Audible clues are secondary to visual when driving. Only the most responsible and prudent drivers should be operating dangerous and large public vehicles.

[Iliyah]

2. This is beyond me. Firetrucks usually slow down and somewhat want the intersection

Last edited Thu Apr 17, 2014, 12:51 AM - Edit history (1)

to acknowledge that they are there. Its standard here in the county of Los Angeles.

[Niceguy1]

4. they dont have the right to blow

The intersection...they must wait until the right of way is yielded. .one or both of the drivers is in error.

[silvershadow]

3. I was driving an ambulance one time and another ambulance from a different agency

was traveling on a crossing road. As I approached the intersection it was clear to me that one of us was going to have to yield to the other. Because I was not from a local agency, I decided to slow my pace to the intersection. I'm glad I did, because the other ambulance didn't slow one mile per hour, and in fact I'm not even sure they saw me or heard my siren. I yielded to them, then took my turn. I'm glad I was observant, and not in some kind of "zone". Sometimes things happen. In this case, it ended in tragedy. My thoughts and prayers go to all involved.

[Ash_F]

8. At the very least, if both vehicles slow down

it wouldn't be such a high speed collision and minimize injury.

[countryjake]

5. How awful!

[ManiacJoe]

6. Usually it is the cops who get caught

badly navigating intersections. Unfortunately, it was the firemen this time.

ManiacJoe
former ambulance driver