The Canadian Press
TORONTO — Four Vaughan, Ont., firefighters who suffered minor injuries in a horrendous crash hurried to try to save the life of a motorist their truck had plowed into.
But it was too late for a 54-year-old Vaughan man, who died minutes later in hospital.
His identity wasn’t released on Tuesday.
''It was absolutely gut-wrenching for the firefighters,’' Chief Greg Senay of the Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service said of the Tuesday morning crash.
''It was a horrific tragedy and they tried hard to save the man’s life.’'
The impact of the truck sent the car into a traffic light pole. The vehicle was destroyed, while the fire truck suffered only minor front-end damage.
Senay said his firefighters called 911 and pulled the victim from his vehicle as they waited for the medics.
''Their training kicked in and they did everything to keep him alive,’' he said. ''They were in trauma and shock as they tried to help the victim.’'
Police said the accident occurred as the pumper, with sirens and emergency lights flashing, was responding to a medical call involving a person with breathing problems.
Witnesses said the truck smashed into a red Toyota Corolla that was making a left turn at a green light.
Senay said the firefighters were released from hospital after being treated for minor injuries.
''They are suffering from emotional trauma and are receiving professional counselling,’' he said, adding the men have been with the service for many years and are ''very experienced.’'
York Regional Police spokesman Kathleen Griffin said the victim was pronounced dead in hospital.
''At this time we are still trying to determine what happened,’' Griffin said.
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