The NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program has released the line of duty death report from Texas of a firefighter killed while working at a accident scene on an interstate overpass in February 2014.
Read the Report
Career Fire Fighter Struck and Killed While Working a Crash Scene on Ice Covered Interstate Overpass
On February 10, 2014, a 40-year-old male career fire fighter died after being struck by a civilian’s vehicle and falling from an overpass. The fire fighter was one of four fire fighters that were working a crash scene involving multiple vehicles on an ice covered interstate bridge and overpass.
The fire fighter was assisting a stranded motorist and crossed over the protective barrier where he was struck by another vehicle and fell 56 feet from the bridge onto the underpass below. Fire fighters rushed to his aid and performed several life saving measures, including CPR.
He was transported by a fire department rescue unit to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased upon arrival.
Contributing Factors:
- Weather conditions (ice)
- Scene/Traffic Management
- Operating in unprotected zone (Situational Awareness)
- Inattentive motorist
Key Recommendations:
- Fire departments should ensure that officers, fire fighters and emergency responders are properly trained in highway incident safety procedures.
- Fire departments should ensure that officers, fire fighters and emergency responders are trained in situational awareness, risk assessment, fire fighter and command safety responsibilities.
- Municipalities and local authorities having jurisdiction should develop strategies for pre-treating bridges, overpasses and roadways subject to early freezing.
