Pumper Lands on Its Roof; Seat Belts Save Firemen
Photo by Richard Lee McDonald
Four Wichita, Kan., fire fighters today know the value of seat belts after being involved in one of their department’s most spectacular accidents.
At 10:15 a.m. last March 16, an alarm for a house fire was transmitted to District Chief 3, Aerial 5 and Engines 5,10, and 14. Engine 14 responded with a crew of four: Captain J. F. Copeland, Nozzleman P. H. Comelsen, Plugman F. Nickell, and Driver D. J. Lanzrath.
In the northeastern part of Wichita, four-lane 21st Street is the primary route for units from Station 14 when responding to the north and west. At 10:17 a.m., Engine 10 gave a code 2, alerting units that smoke was billowing from the house. Engine 14 was traveling between 45 and 50 mph in the open area of 21st Street under light traffic conditions. Coming down an incline on 21st, the captain and driver had an unobstructed view of the intersection at 21st and Oliver.
Engine and car collide
Sitting in the right westbound lane was a car with its left turn signal on, waiting for the red traffic light to change. As Engine 14 approached the intersection, both the captain and driver began to assess the traffic conditions. Copeland advised his driver to watch the vehicle with the turn signal on. The traffic light changed to green as Engine 14 approached with its red light flashing, siren and air horns sounding. Traveling approximately 45 mph, Copeland and Lanzrath noticed traffic was holding, allowing them passage. Suddenly, the waiting car in the right lane turned directly into the path of the approaching engine.
Lanzrath reacted instantly, attempting to turn with the car, but to no avail. The pumper struck the auto almost broadside, forcing it southwest from the point of impact. It came to rest upright in a sand trap of the Wichita State University golf course after jumping the curb and tearing through a row of small trees.
Engine 14 was not so lucky. It proceeded southwest, turning 180 degrees from the original direction of travel, jumped the curb while sliding sideways, and then flipped, landing on its top. The pumper came to rest, wedged between two trees. A third tree stopped the roll, preventing possible serious injury to the men.
Copeland unbuckled his seat belt and dropped to the roof of the cab, checking with his driver as he did so. Lanzrath was OK and both men crawled out the door on the captain’s side. The two men in the jump seats also had their seat belts fastened and they found themselves hanging upside down, still sitting in their seats. They also released their belts and were able to meet the captain as he came from the cab.
First aid administered
The first aid kit was located and aid was given to the occupants of the car. A passing registered nurse, Ruth A. Clarke, witnessed the accident and assisted with first aid. The walkie-talkie was located and Copeland told the dispatcher of the accident and requested the necessary help.
Amazingly, all injuries to the crew of Engine 14 were minor with only Copeland requiring a physician’s attention. The driver of the car was not so lucky. He received critical injuries, causing him to be hospitalized. Engine 14 received extensive body damage, but the drive train appeared to be intact. The cab of the engine held up under the severe impact of the rollover.
What can we learn from this accident? Most surely that seat belts again saved lives and prevented serious injury. The practice of using jump seats certainly affected the outcome of this accident as the tailboard was bent down and equipment was scraped off the back end when the pumper hit the trees. Had the plugman and nozzleman not been protected by the cab, this story would have had a different ending.
