FORT WORTH, TX – A Fort Worth Fire Department engine was struck by a truck early Saturday morning, narrowly avoiding tragedy on Highway 287.
According to Fort Worth Fire officials, Engines 5 and 14 were dispatched around 3:30 a.m. to a reported single-vehicle crash near the 287 interchange southeast of downtown. After initially not finding the wreck, Engine 14 encountered the scene while returning to the station.
The engine was parked at a 45-degree angle to protect firefighters and the initial crash site from oncoming traffic. Moments after the last firefighter stepped off the truck, it was hit by a northbound vehicle, heavily damaging the front of the fire engine.
Authorities said the two occupants of the truck were trapped and had to be extricated before being taken to a hospital. Fortunately, no firefighters were injured, and the driver from the original crash was unharmed.
Officials credited the careful positioning of the fire engine for saving lives and preventing a more severe outcome.
Fort Worth Fire emphasized the importance of driving attentively near emergency scenes:
“Do not text and drive. Do not drive while impaired or distracted,” the department stated. “When you see emergency lights: SLOW DOWN and MOVE OVER. It’s the law.”
The department also expressed gratitude that their crews escaped serious harm and urged drivers to help keep responders safe on the road.
