Duluth Fire Engine Struck At Crash Scene Helped Protect Responding Crews

Firefighters say they specifically park trucks in front of accidents to protect responding rescue crews

DULUTH, Minn. – We’re getting a closer look at the damage a Duluth fire truck sustained while responding to an accident earlier this week.

Late Tuesday night, a man lost control of his motorcycle while riding down Central Entrance Road.

Shortly after, in the same location, another man lost control of his vehicle and struck a police car and fire rig assisting at the crash. Significant damage was sustained to the front bumper, which will need to be replaced.

Firefighters say they specifically park trucks in front of accidents to protect responding rescue crews.

“It’s there to do its job,” said Bill Chopskie, equipment operator for the Duluth Dire Department. “It’s there to protect the scene and protect us. Unfortunately, there is some damage to the rig, but that is certainly the least of our worries. All the crews were certainly protected by the rig and that’s exactly why we do it. It’s a safety issue for us and the victims.”

The damaged rig is still being used, however, the department had already planned to replace this engine with a new one in the next few weeks. It will be repaired and used as a reserve rescue engine.