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Two Omaha Firefighters Injured When Struck By Oncoming SUV
By JEAN ORTIZ
Associated Press Writer
OMAHA, Neb. — Two Omaha firefighters responding to an injury accident on Interstate 80 are recovering after being struck by a sport-utility vehicle that may have lost control on the icy roadway.
Firefighters Tom Bartek and Seth Gruber — both six-year veterans — were working along the eastbound shoulder of I-80 late Saturday when the SUV lost control and slid into them, fire officials said. One of them was thrown more than 50 feet down an embankment.
Bartek and Gruber were taken to Creighton University Medical Center for treatment. Both were released Sunday morning, Capt. Jim Gentile said.
Gentile was unable to describe in greater detail the extent of their injuries, which were non-life threatening.
The driver of the SUV was not injured.
Omaha police said neither speed nor alcohol were factors in the crash, but icy conditions likely are to blame for several collisions late Saturday and into early Sunday.
The National Weather Service reported freezing drizzle was followed by light snow in the area late Saturday and into early Sunday.
In 2007, 26 firefighters nationwide were involved in fatal vehicle collisions, Gentile said, citing statistics from the National Fire Protection Association.
In 1989, Omaha lost Battalion Chief John Wilcox after he was struck by a vehicle in a similar incident, he said.
“People just have to be careful and be aware of their surroundings and reduce their speed accordingly,” Gentile said.
Firefighters Tom Bartek and Seth Gruber — both six-year veterans — were working along the eastbound shoulder of I-80 late Saturday when the SUV lost control and slid into them, fire officials said. One of them was thrown more than 50 feet down an embankment.
Bartek and Gruber were taken to Creighton University Medical Center for treatment. Both were released Sunday morning, Capt. Jim Gentile said.
Gentile was unable to describe in greater detail the extent of their injuries, which were non-life threatening.
The driver of the SUV was not injured.
Omaha police said neither speed nor alcohol were factors in the crash, but icy conditions likely are to blame for several collisions late Saturday and into early Sunday.
The National Weather Service reported freezing drizzle was followed by light snow in the area late Saturday and into early Sunday.
In 2007, 26 firefighters nationwide were involved in fatal vehicle collisions, Gentile said, citing statistics from the National Fire Protection Association.
In 1989, Omaha lost Battalion Chief John Wilcox after he was struck by a vehicle in a similar incident, he said.
“People just have to be careful and be aware of their surroundings and reduce their speed accordingly,” Gentile said.
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