Firefighter in good condition after truck rollover
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Authorities examine the scene Monday afternoon where an Orfordville Fire Department tanker rolled off the road on County H across the road from Beckman Mill Park in Newark Township while responding to a shed fire on St. Lawrence Avenue. The passenger in the tanker, Chad Cleasby, 31, Orfordville, was in good condition this morning at Rockford Memorial Hospital. The driver, Michael Ponkauskas, 54, Orfordville, was released today from Beloit Memorial Hospital. Investigators said the tanker rolled after entering an 80-degree curve too fast.
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A medical helicopter from the Rockford Health Systems transports a victim from a Orfordville Fire Department tanker rollover along County H near the Beckman Mill.
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The Town of Beloit and Janesville's firefighter control whats left of a shed fire along St. Lawrence Ave. near South Burchfield Road. An Orfordville Fire Department tanker was involved in a roll over on County H while responding to this fire.
NEWARK TOWNSHIP — One firefighter remains in the hospital in good condition this morning after an Orfordville tanker truck rolled Monday about 5 miles west of Beloit on the way to a fire.
The passenger in the fire engine, Chad Cleasby, 31, Orfordville, was in good condition at Rockford Memorial Hospital. The driver, Michael Ponkauskas, 54, Orfordville, was treated and released today at Beloit Memorial Hospital.
According to the Rock County Sheriff’s Department:
The firefighters were dispatched at 1:30 p.m. to 8314 W. St. Lawrence Road for a vehicle on fire in a shed.
Responding units were southbound on County H just south of West Mill Pond Road where the road makes an 80-degree turn to the right. An engine and ambulance went through the curve, but the driver of the tanker full of water lost control and rolled over in front of 8606 W. County H.
People in nearby Mill Pond Park heard and saw the crash, called 911 and helped the two injured firefighters, who had been wearing seatbelts.
Cleasby had freed himself from the cab by the time authorities arrived and was flown to the Rockford hospital. Ponkauskas remained trapped until extrication equipment arrived.
The Wisconsin State Patrol inspected the tanker and determined the brake system was in proper working order.
Preliminary investigation indicates the tanker entered the curve too fast, drifted onto the soft gravel shoulder in the opposite lane and rolled down an embankment, coming to rest against a tree.
Citations, if appropriate, will be issued at the end of the investigation.
The fire that the firemen were responding to resulted in a total loss of a pole shed, said Beth Wilkie of Orfordville EMS. Cause of the fire is unknown, but it started in a vehicle outside of the shed, she said.
One Town of Beloit fire fighter was transported to Beloit Memorial Hospital from injuries suffered on the scene. No information about that firefighter was available by press time.
May 7, 2008 at 7:14 a.m.
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heatherpink17: I agree with you 100%!
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I personally feel that this could've happened to anybody. No matter how fast you are going once you hit gravel it is very easy to lose control of a vehicle.
May 7, 2008 at 12:56 a.m.
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Just a couple counter-points to heatherpink's comments. No, it is NOT thier job to "move fast". The job is to do firefighting and related rescue duties. It is ALSO thier job to get to the scene in the safest manner possible, it does no good if the apparatus is wrecked/disabled enroute and FFs are out of comission due to injuries or death.
As for applying the same "move fast" statement to a police officer.... right now there is a case in Stevens Point that has an officer facing reckless homicide charges for "speeding to a crime scene". In the process of responding, the officer went through a red light at an estimated speed of 52 mph and broadsided another car killing the young driver that had a green light.
http://www.wisconsinrapidstribune.com/ap...
Driving tanker apparatus is one of the worst jobs to have, they are notoriously unstable from watersurge and top-heavy as well, therefore the engineer is responsible for knowing his rig and how its going to react. If it means slowing down to keep it on the road, so be it.
I have driven many quints(aerial trucks with pump/watertank), straight aerials, and 'Scopes (platform aerial) on a test-track. You can feel it when the truck wants to roll, but I never had enough momentum (speed) to actually roll it... Thank god, otherwise I'd been out of a job! The newer trucks now are more comfortable with high-horsepower engines and "easier" to drive compared to the older rigs. The downside to that is that the line from running safely to disaster can now be crossed with little to no warning to a distracted or inexperienced driver.
I will not pass judgement on this accident until investigations are done; however, if citations are warranted, write them! Hopefully OFD and other Fire Depts. will use this incident in a "Lessons Learned" training session and benefit from it regardless if citations are issued.
As for the two injured FFs, I wish them a full and speedy recovery and am glad that 2 Brothers did not have to answer their final alarm.
Stay Safe and Everybody Goes Home!
May 6, 2008 at 11:25 p.m.
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I would just like to commment that this man was injured on his way to put his life on the line in the first place, if he is going to be cited for driving too fast, thats a big crock, its there job to move fast, so he hit some soft gravel and got in an accident, they are safe and thats all that matters. ticketing him would be like ticketing a cop for speeding to a crime seen
May 6, 2008 at 10:55 p.m.
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Of course the laws apply to all, but until the police finish their investigation and these fellas get back on their feet I think it might be reasonable to hold off on hopes of citations being issued. I don't believe you are being harsh or unappreciative, it's one of those situations that cannot truly be understood unless you are "on the inside". Any response to an emergent situation can be dangerous. The gear worn by firefighters is heavy and cumbersome, then we add in the weather, a pinch of hard work, a smidge of excitement.... I smell heat exhaustion, dehydration, and it wouldn't be unheard of for a person to suffer an MI with that sort of stressful situation.
163 - Thanks for the support neighbor! See you at the next brush fire gone wild.
May 6, 2008 at 9:41 p.m.
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Hey OFD hope chad and mike recover well .. if you guys need anything let us know FFD
May 6, 2008 at 8:36 p.m.
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"I believe that I can speak for most in the field when I say that the health and welfare of our brothers and sisters fighting the fire is where our priority lies."
I am not trying to sound unappreciative, I do understand what you said...when it applies. No ones health or welfare should have been in danger over a car/shed fire (residential fire-maybe.) Please forgive me if you think I am being harsh, I just think the laws apply to all.
May 6, 2008 at 7:37 p.m.
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It is true that getting there safely is a huge priority. Unfortunately the area the accident happened is not well signed. The curve comes suddenly, and although I believe there is a max limit 15 sign when traveling in the opposite direction, there is not a sign in the direction the tanker was traveling.
Another thing to keep in mind is that property loss is not the main thing on ones mind when en route to the scene of a fire. I believe that I can speak for most in the field when I say that the health and welfare of our brothers and sisters fighting the fire is where our priority lies.
And yes, we did a darn good job out there! Kudos to all who pitched in.... from the folks manning the station to the kind soul that brought us water (251).
And Chad was rockin that flying meat wagon!
263
May 6, 2008 at 6:07 p.m.
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I do hope he makes a quick and full recoverly, you have my prayers. I also believe the driver should be cited..that kind of driving puts other people and themselves at risk over simple property loss. Remember, you can't help, if you can't get there.
May 6, 2008 at 3:57 p.m.
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Chad...get well soon. I am sad to see it isn't only the fires these brave folks must overcome...it is also the need to get there fast as well!!
May 6, 2008 at 3:42 p.m.
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I am proud of our department pulling together in a time like this! We had members of our department that came out of the woodworks to come and help! Great job to all the staff and the of the departments that came to help us out!!
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