SMOKE OBSCURES MISSOURI DRIVER'S VIEW: THREE FIREFIGHTERS STRUCK

While working on a vehicle fire Nov. 20, three local firefighters were struck and injured by an oncoming vehicle. Antonia Fire Protection District Deputy Chief Glenn Nivens said that at approximately 6 a.m., the owner of a truck and trailer noticed that the hay in the trailer he was towing was in flames. The driver stopped his vehicle and disconnected the truck from the trailer at Old State Route 21 and Denjover Lane. Antonia and Shady Valley fire protection districts responded.

The southbound lanes and part of the northbound lanes were blocked from traffic flow as firefighters from both districts tried to put out the fire. A vehicle traveling southbound did not notice the firefighters because of the smoke across the road and struck three firefighters.One firefighter from Antonia and two from Shady Valley were transported to St. Anthony's Medical Center for the treatment of minor injuries and released. Nivens said that while high speeds were not involved in the incident, the car that struck the firefighters was not driveable after the accident.

"The main message is for drivers to be attentive," Nivens said. Nivens encouraged drivers to not proceed through accident or fire scenes if they do not have a clear view of the roadway. Blocked lanes of traffic are common at such sites. "Almost all accidents are preventable," Nivens said. He declined to name the injured firefighters.