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Tanker rollover injures Pa. firefighters, causes power outage

The Junction Fire Company tanker was responding to a brush fire when it was struck by another vehicle

LEWISTOWN, Pa. — Two firefighters were injured on March 23 when their fire department tanker overturned and caused a power outage while responding to a brush fire in Mifflin County.

Officials said the rollover was caused when a car collided with a Junction Fire Company tanker. Both the firefighter driving the tanker and an officer were initially trapped inside the vehicle. The officer was able to get out on their own, but the driver had to be extricated, WHP reported.

“The tanker that was involved in the accident was responding to a brush fire in Granville Township,” Lewistown Borough Fire Department Chief Bob Douglas told WHTM. “It is not a borough vehicle; it was coming through the borough to respond to Granville Township for a brush fire and it came together with another vehicle in the intersection.”

The crash also caused damage to a residential structure and a utility pole, causing a power outage.

The Junction Fire Company said one of the firefighters was transferred to Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center for specialized treatment.

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Bill Carey is the associate editor for FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com. A former Maryland volunteer firefighter, sergeant, and lieutenant, Bill has written for several fire service publications and platforms. His work on firefighter behavioral health garnered a 2014 Neal Award nomination. His ongoing research and writings about line-of-duty death data is frequently cited in articles, presentations, and trainings. Have a news tip? He can be reached at news@lexipol.com.