GREENSBORO, N.C. — Three firefighters with the Pinecroft Sedgefield Fire Department were injured after a fire truck overturned Tuesday night on Interstate 85. Officials say they are now recovering at home after they were treated and released from Moses Cone Hospital
The fire engine was involved in the vehicle accident while responding to an emergency call. Chief Allred said a car cut in front of the truck then hit the brakes. That's when the engine truck also hit the brakes to avoid colliding with the car. The fire engine then veered off the road towards the side of the ramp and rolled over several times, down the hill.
Guilford County EMS transported the firefighters to the hospital. Chief Allred said the injuries ranged from broken bones to scrapes and bruises.
There's been an outpouring of community support for the firefighter as well.
"We are just very grateful for the outpouring of support and concern and everything that the community has rallied around us over the past couple of hours or so since this incident first occurred. Not only locally, but with other agencies that we work with day-to-day and throughout the state as well," said Derek Carson, the division chief, Pinecroft-Sedgefield Fire Department.
PHOTOS | Fire engine overturns on I-85
Carson said the seatbelts the firefighters were wearing saved their lives and has urged road users to obey move over laws.
"We just can't stress enough the importance of the motorists on the highway paying attention to emergency vehicles that are there responding day in day out throughout the interstates. There are laws in place with the move over laws and just being aware of the responding emergency service apparatus. The incident could have been prevented," he added.
It was one of the department's newest engine trucks involved in the accident and is possibly totaled.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.
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