FIREWIRE Magazine Winter 2019: Celebrating 5 Years | Page 55

INCIDENTS: MEDIC ENGINE 2
The numerous crews working the area that day gathered at the junction
of Interstate 15 and State Highway 138, where the CalTrans Cajon station
served as an ad hoc incident command post. ME2 was advised to make a
presence in the area and scout some of the flooding, so we checked the wash
area behind the Shell gas station which sits along the freeway, observing
heavy water and debris flow, with over four feet of water at the bank.
What we didn’t know at the time was that the location we were viewing was
nearly the very spot where our engine would soon fall, nearly taking us with
it. I can recall thinking the sound and speed of the water was intense.
Soon after, we responded to a reported semi-truck rollover down the
southbound 15. After going en route, I noticed we had a total of three engines
responding—more than would be needed—
and I looked down at my computer to see
which crew I was going to cancel. We were
just getting onto the freeway, approaching
40-45 mph, and Engineer Terry Payton looked
over his left shoulder to complete the merge.
In the passenger seat, as I looked up from
the computer, I saw to my right that there was
absolutely no lane in front of us. I thought my
eyes were still adjusting from looking at the
bright computer screen, but I soon realized
that what I was seeing was not an illusion—we
were heading straight for a huge hole in the
freeway. At this moment, Engineer Payton was
still looking over his shoulder, and Firefighter/
Paramedic Daniel Carmichael, sitting in the
rear of the cab on the captain’s side, still was
unaware of the approaching hazard.
had given way. I then remember FF/PM Carmichael yelling, “There’s no road!”
At this point I was concerned about a weight shift, and who should exit
the engine first. I knew my radio traffic had gotten through, and that other
resources were headed our way, but I was pretty sure by the way the engine
was teetering we were going over and into the water below. I asked FF/PM
Carmichael if he could get out, and he replied “Yes.”
I asked Terry the same question and he said, “I’m not getting out yet, I’m
holding the brake.” Danny and I jumped from the passenger side of the engine
at the same time and were able to land on a small section of concrete that
was left. The two of us went around to check on Terry, and that’s when he
took his foot off the brake and jumped out in
to an adjacent lane—into traffic still flowing at
freeway speeds.
“I’m not getting out yet,
I’m holding the brake.”
Danny and I jumped from
the passenger side of the
engine at the same time
and were able to land on a
small section of concrete
that was left.
Once I realized what I was seeing, I screamed “Terry!” as Engineer Payton
turned his head, instinctively cranking the wheel as hard as he could to the
left to avoid plunging the rig into the hole. I remember the engine becoming
airborne for a split second and landing violently on the other side of the
washed out section. We continued sliding on the edge of the jagged piece of
concrete left behind from the initial collapse until coming to a sudden and
violent stop.
We then slowly began to slide backwards, heading straight for the rushing
water below. Engineer Payton put his foot to the accelerator, gaining 2-3 feet
of forward momentum—just enough to get the left rear dual tires to catch and
stay on the freeway, preventing us from going over the side immediately.
Once the engine stopped for the second time, we felt ourselves literally
teetering back and forth as we hung precariously over the side. I remember
calling on the radio for emergency
traffic and saying ME2 has just
“TC’d” (crashed) due to a bridge
collapse, and to please dispatch
a response.
The three us were transported to Desert Valley
Hospital for observation; I insisted we all stay
together and go in the same ambulance. Once
we were loaded in the ambulance and en route
to the ER, we got the word that our engine had
fallen 20-30 feet, into the water below.
This was definitely a close call for all of us
and there is nothing at all that we could have
done to prevent this from happening. I give
huge credit to Engineer Payton for reacting the
way he did and for having the knowledge and
experience to do everything he could to keep
that engine up on the freeway long enough for
us to get out.
Meanwhile, FF/PM Carmichael made sure that once he got out of the engine
and we were out of danger, he ran up and checked on the driver of the accident
to which we were initially dispatched.
This incident was a life-changing experience for the three of us, to say the
least. By going through such a close call we know we have developed a
bond that we will carry throughout our careers. Only someone who has gone
through a similar situation would understand. Nevertheless, the department—
especially those who organized the help we needed after the incident—went
above and beyond in every aspect. On behalf of Terry, Danny and myself I
want to thank everyone who was involved, whether directly or indirectly. We are
beyond grateful and so proud to still be able to serve another day beside the
best men and women in the fire service.
The reason I called it in as a bridge
collapse was because the only
thing I saw before we approached
the hole was reflectors off to the
right. I was thinking it was a piece
of railing from a bridge, perhaps
because it was nearly my very
last thought that it could be an
entire section of the lane which
Winter 2019 • FIREWIRE
55