On Tuesday, February 15, the Dows Fire Department was involved in an accident when their fire truck was hit by a vehicle on Interstate 35.
According to Dows Fire Chief Bill Heiden, two local firemen were responding to a call to a vehicle fire on the interstate that afternoon. Heiden explained that the fire truck cut through the median to approach the fire and was struck by a pickup truck who had lost control. The pickup, who was passing a semi and apparently did not see the emergency vehicle, t-boned the Dows fire truck.
Heiden, who eventually arrived on the scene and put out the car fire, said that the two firemen “were banged up” after the accident. They did end up going to Franklin General Hospital in Hampton but were released later that night. Heiden added that the fire truck was totaled due to the accident.
The fire chief noted that even though his men were a little worse for wear after the incident, the accident could have been far worse. He added that the firemen did have their lights and sirens on when struck.
Heiden implored drivers to look out for emergency vehicles when they are on the road. “People really need to pay attention to the road, especially on the interstate, and just take it easy,” he said. “There’s no destination that anyone has to get to that is so important that they can’t slow down, especially around emergency vehicles.”
