Rollover accident I-17 near the Newman Park exit Nov. 13, 2009. (APSN.us/ Chad Black)
FLAGSTAFF (NAZ Today) – A winter storm moving through Northern Arizona on Friday, November 13th brought a combination of rain, snow, and hail to the area causing a number of accidents along I-40 and I-17. In total the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) is reporting that 25 collisions occurred in and around the Flagstaff area on Friday.
Some of the most significant accidents included a vehicle rollover accident along I-17 near the Neuman Park exit. Rescue crews had to use the ‘Jaws of Life” to cut away the roof of a van in order to free three people who were trapped inside. Two of the patients were transported to Flagtstaff Medical Center (FMC) in critical condition. As rescue crews were preparing to transport the third patient to the hospital steam began pouring from the engine compartment of the ambulance. The third patient was loaded into a second ambulance and transported to FMC. Just north of the van rollover, a truck had also rolled over on I-17. Three people in the truck were also transported to FMC.
On Friday at approximately 10 p.m. a combination of heavy rain, snow, and hail was reported in the area between Bellemont and Parks. Three accidents were also reported in this area along I-40. One of the accidents involved an SUV that rolled over while traveling west-bound on I-40 near Bellemont. The other two accidents in the area were minor, with no major injuries being reported from these accidents.
The DPS want to remind drivers to slow down during bad weather conditions. The posted speed limit may not be a safe speed to travel during bad weather. Leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle ahead of you. Braking and stopping distances will also be affected by wet roads and icy /slippery roadway surfaces.
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- Rescue crews using the “Jaws of Life” to extricate three patients from a rollover accident on I-17, Nov. 13th, 2009. (APSN.us/Chad Black)
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- Rollover accident I-17 near the Newman Park exit Nov. 13, 2009. (APSN.us/ Chad Black)
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- A Guardian ambulance with steam pouring out of the engine while responding to a vehicle rollover on I-17, Nov. 13th, 2009. (APSN.us / Chad Black)
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- Rollover accident on I-17, Nov. 13th, 2009. (APSN.us/Chad Black)
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Information for this story provided by:
The ambulance in the photo did not catch on fire. That is steam. Perhaps the journalist should get the facts before writing incorrect information.
Mark Venuti, Director
Guardian Medical Transport
Mark, thank you for clarifying that it in fact was not a fire, but steam coming from the engine of the ambulance. The information we had received in our newsroom originally described it as a fire.
Brandon
NAZ Today
I was the person who took these photos. First and foremost, I am not affiliated with NAZ Today, so I cannot speak on their behalf, but will take full responsibility for the mis-information on the fire. While we were standing next to the ambulance ( the incident commander and I) the vehicle began to pour smoke (or steam from the engine compartment. The Commander asked if anyone thought it they should start water on it because the smell it produced was indicative of something burning. The patient was taken from the ambulance because it was determined to be unfit for travel at the time. The term used at the scene was no longer usable and out of service. I do not feel that this incident in any way shape or form reflects on your company Mark. In fact, I give thanks every singe day to my higher power for the brave men and women your company employs. You all do a fantastic job and deserve much more credit that what you get. On behalf of APSN and myself, I apologize for the incorrect information. I thought I had the facts, turns out, I made a mistake.
Why are you people talking bout a fire when people like me who lost a family member to this accident wants to know more bout what happened than to see two grown people argue over something so stupid?
THE FAMILY OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT IN THE HONDA VAN NEED INFORMATION ON HEALTH CONDITION. WE ARE IN TEXAS AND THE HOSPITAL WILL NOT RELEASE ANY INFO PLEASE CONTACT ASAP IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION WE WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION YOU MAY HAVE
PLEASE
Hi Janiel
We haven’t received any additional information about the status of the people involved in the van rollover accident. If you are trying to find out information about a family member I suggest contacting the following agencies who handled the accident and the care of those involved. Arizona Department of Public Saftey, Coconino County Sheriff, and the Flagstaff Regional Medical Center. They should be able to release updated information.
NAZ Today Editor
Thank you for the advice,but noone is giving us information , not even the hospital even though theres a current person there