By Laura French
CLAYTON, N.C. — Three North Carolina firefighters were injured in a rollover apparatus crash after their engine hydroplaned.
The Cleveland Fire Department’s Engine 2 was responding to a fire alarm on Thursday morning when it hit standing water on the road and began hydroplaning, according to a Facebook post from the department. The engine hit a ditch and struck a tree before turning onto its side.
The department said there was heavy rainfall shortly before the crash. The three firefighters were transported to the hospital, where they were treated for minor injuries and released.
“While all of us have been consumed with fears of COVID-19 response, today’s accident serves as a reminder that our firefighters and first responders still face all the normal dangers involved in responding promptly to emergencies in all conditions,” Cleveland Fire Chief Chris Ellington said in a statement.
The chief extended thanks to the Clayton Fire Department for temporarily covering calls in the area around the time of the crash, and North Carolina Highway Patrol for responding to the incident.