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Ill. fire apparatus rolls into ditch en route to vehicle fire

Officials said the apparatus was swerving to avoid a collision when it went into the ditch

franklin fire department apparatus logo stock image

A Franklin Fire Department apparatus rolled into a ditch Thursday while trying to avoid a collision, officials say.

Photo/Franklin Fire Protection District

Darren Iozia
Jacksonville Journal-Courier, Ill.

FRANKLIN, Ill. — A Franklin Fire Department truck rolled into a ditch on Illinois Route 104 after it swerved to avoid a collision about 9 p.m. Thursday.

The firetruck driver and passenger suffered minor bruises but there were no significant injuries, according to Fire Chief Gerald Wilson, who said the accident was not the fault of the driver or the equipment.

Firefighters were responding to a semi-trailer truck fire at Whalen Trucking in Waverly when an SUV “cut off the truck, causing it to roll over on its side,” Morgan County Sheriff Mike Carmody said.

Sheriff’s Deputy Griffin Tyler was following the firetruck and assisted the two out of the apparatus.

The SUV driver did not stop, Carmody said. The accident remains under investigation. An estimate of damage to the firetruck has not been determined.

Wilson said the department has another firetruck and a tanker in service. He said surrounding communities will be able to assist on calls if needed.

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(c)2021 the Jacksonville Journal-Courier (Jacksonville, Ill.)