Huntingdon Fire Crew Crash Update
By: Mallory Lane
Updated: July 30, 2012
Neighbors say despite all of the damage done to the fire truck and building, they're glad everyone is alive.
"It went through the corner of the building through one wall," neighbor Harry Unger said. "It stopped before it ran over a 200-foot bank. I mean that's a scary thought."
Deputy Fire Chief Keith Bollinger says the firemen were driving back to the station after responding to an early morning structure fire, at which point the driver of the fire truck had a seizure and wasn't able to control the truck. He says that's when the truck veered and crashed.
Three firemen in the back of the truck were brought to JC Blair Hospital and released, but the driver and front seat passenger were airlifted to Altoona Hospital.
"The driver was released early this morning, however the officer sustained some pretty good trauma," Bollinger said. "He's got some broken bones in his legs and facial trauma."
Bollinger says the truck has a lot of damage, too. He says the insurance companies will work with them to assess the extent of the damage and they will decide if they need to replace the truck from there.
Sip's Tile Craft Inc. owner Joseph Romeckai says he will work out of his house until he is able to rebuild his business building.
Despite all the damage, Unger says he's glad all five people in the fire truck are alive.


