| Editor's note: While investigations into this incident are ongoing, it's important to always bear in mind that any time the driver loses sight of the backer/spotter or needs to check his or her opposite mirrors, they should stop backing up. Check out a previous FireRescue1 tip on backer/spotter safety. |
Marin Independent Journal
MARIN COUNTY, Calif. — A Marin County fire captain was in critical condition Monday after a fire engine struck him and wedged him against another fire truck, officials said.
Rubin Martin, 37, of Windsor was airlifted from the Throckmorton Ridge fire station, where the mishap occurred, to the trauma center at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, firefighters said. Martin suffered a broken leg and a "massive blood loss," according to fire broadcasts.
"It sounded like he was in pretty bad shape, losing blood internally," said Deputy Chief Rich Lopez.
The incident occurred at 3:20 p.m. as the Throckmorton crew was returning from a call. Martin, a longtime county firefighter, got out of the truck to help guide a colleague who was backing the fire engine into the garage, said acting Sgt. Bryan Yops of the California Highway Patrol.
When Martin moved from the left side of the rear bumper to the right side, he got pinched between the moving fire engine and a stationary one, Yops said. The firefighter who was driving the truck, 35-year-old Todd Lando of San Anselmo, heard Martin yell and quickly moved the truck forward.
"(Martin) temporarily lost consciousness and lost quite a bit of blood," Yops said.
The fire truck was backing up at less than 5 mph, he said.
A medical helicopter landed at the fire station and flew Martin to John Muir. He was in critical condition Monday night and was admitted to the hospital, a nursing supervisor said.
The incident will be investigated by the California Highway Patrol and Cal/OSHA, the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health.
"We don't know whose fault it is at this point," Yops said.
The Throckmorton Ridge fire station, one of six fire stations the county operates, sits off Panoramic Highway on Mount Tamalpais. The station serves Muir Woods, Mt. Tamalpais State Park, Muir Beach, the Marin Municipal Watershed and the unincorporated areas surrounding Mill Valley.
