OMAHA, Neb. — Four firefighters and one civilian were injured Wednesday when a fire truck and SUV collided.
The collision caused the rig to crash into an art gallery in downtown Omaha.
According to eyewitness Mark Piner, 48, the fire truck had its lights flashing and siren blaring when it collided with another vehicle at an intersection. The rig struck the vehicle’s passenger side before punching through a wall of an art gallery.
Piner told Omaha.com that an ambulance had managed to cross the intersection safely about 100 yards ahead of the fire apparatus.
“The first thing the firefighters did was get out of their truck and render aid to the SUV driver,” Battalion Chief Tim McCaw said.
The driver of the SUV and firefighters were transported to a medical facility for minor injuries.
Omaha fire union President Steve LeClair praised the firefighters for their “selflessness, heart and determination” in aiding the SUV driver.
“We are hopefully that everyone involved in today’s accident will make a full and timely recovery,” LeClair said in a statement.
Accident at 16th and Leavenworth involving Omaha fire truck. pic.twitter.com/a5yzUBgcUv
— NewsRadio 1110 KFAB (@kfabnews) June 22, 2016
#BREAKING- Fire truck slams into building after crash @ 16th/Leavenworth in #omaha pic.twitter.com/Ii8tbvOpN9
— KevinBoughton (@KevinBoughton) June 22, 2016