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Update: Fire fighter has life-threatening injuries following crash

Posted at 9:41 AM, May 20, 2012
and last updated 2012-05-20 18:56:27-04

CHARLES CITY COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) – A Charles City County fire truck overturned Sunday morning, sending one firefighter to the hospital.

The firefighter was en route to hep others with a fire around 4:30 a.m., in the 4400 block of Old Union Rd. 

Sgt. Thomas Molnar with Virginia State Police told CBS 6 that a firetruck, ran off the side of the road in the 7100 block of Old Union Rd., before crossing back over onto the roadway, flipping and coming to a rest on the passenger side.

The driver of the fire truck, identified as Michael R. Buchanan, 51, of Quinton, suffered serious life-threatening injuries and was flown by med-flight to VCU Medical Center.

“His leg is what pinned him in the truck,” said witness Carolyn Bates. That’s why they had to get the jaws of life to pry him out.”

Bates heard the sound of metal colliding with trees and rushed outside with a flashlight.

“The gentleman driving this fire water truck was bringing water to the other fire when the accident happened,” she said. That’s when Buchanan lost control on the narrow stretch of road and slammed into a ditch, which caused the truck to overturn

The water tanker truck was loaded with approximately 3,000 gallons of water. State Police were assisted in the investigation by the Charles City and New Kent Sheriff Departments.

Buchanan has undergone at least one surgery.

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