12/24/14 379 W, 3 I - + 6 - 8 This Morning's Apparatus Accident in Mebane
From news reports, social media, and other sources, here's the sequence of events of this morning's chain-reaction accidents on Interstate 40 near Mebane, that killed one driver and injured both the Fire Chief and a State Trooper. Sources include news reports and social media.
- Mebane FD and EMS unit(s) dispatched at 8:01 a.m. to single-vehicle accident on eastbound I-40/I-85, near the outlet mall.
- MFD units responding were Engine 36 (2014 Sutphen Shield pumper), Rescue 34 (heavy rescue), and Chief 3 (Chevy Tahoe operated by Fire Chief).
- At 8:26 a.m., a passenger car hydroplaned into the scene.
- Car grazed rescue truck. Damage to the apparatus included front left bumper and cab area.
- Car then struck the fire chief's vehicle with full force. The Tahoe was reportedly totaled.
- Chief's vehicle was pushed into back of engine. Minor damage to tailboard.
- Female driver of the car was killed.
- Fire Chief Bob Louis was in the vehicle, and was transported to the hospital. He's expected to be okay.
- About two hours later, just after 10:00 a.m., the second accident occurred.
- State Trooper D. C. Justice was parked on the shoulder, in his Highway Patrol SUV, near Mile Marker 155.
- He was part of the accident reconstruction team.
- Greyhound bus (traveling from Atlanta to Raleigh) struck the trooper's vehicle with full force, though with a reported last-minute swerve. Extensive damage to bus in front right corner.
- Trooper's vehicle was pushed into woods. From photos, the vehicle's was totaled, with the rear of the passenger compartment crushed.
- Trooper was transported to Duke University Hospital, with non life-threatening injuries. He's reported as suffering broken bones and head injuries.
- Total 41 passengers on bus, plus driver. Ten treated (WRAL) or twelve transported (NBC17) for minor injuries.
- Seven people were transported to Alamance Regional Hospital.
- Accident occurred exactly at the county line.
- Mebane Engine 35 and Efland Engine 133 and Engine 34 responded.
- Haw River FD provided coverage for Mebane FD.
- Responding EMS agencies were Orange County EMS, Alamance County EMS, and Alamance Rescue Squad.
- Units on scene included Orange County Medic 1, 4, 5, EMS 10, 11; Alamance County Medic 2 Ambulance 104.
Media links: WRAL | WTVD | NBC17 | WGHP | WXII | Times-News | News & Observer. See also the sterling coverage by FireNews on Twitter.
Images:
WTVD photo
WXII photo
News & Observer/Chuck Liddy photo