KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. — There were no injuries reported after a Rural Metro Fire Department engine overturned in the Gibbs community today.
Rural Metro Fire Public Information Officer Jeff Bagwell said Engine 234 was responding to a fire call when it slid off icy roads in the area.
The operator of the firetruck had to go to the edge of the road to avoid colliding with a motorist who was driving too close to the double yellow center line. The edge of the road gave way under the weight of the truck and the truck ended up on its side in the snow, nearly missing a powerline, Bagwell said.
The chains were deployed on the truck at the time and all three crew members inside the vehicle were not hurt.
Traffic in the area was impacted until 3:30 p.m. and another crew responded to the call Engine 234 was assigned to before the wreck. Those other crews found an HVAC issue and no smoke, and no fire, at that call.
"Always a reminder to yield for all emergency vehicles," Bagwell said. "The law says to pull to the right and stop. These first responders are out there risking their lives in horrible weather conditions. Please give them some room. "