Bully Fire Vehicle Accident 2014

On July 23, 2014, at approximately 1357 hours, a CALFIRE 1 ton utility stake side, (U-2438) assigned to logistics support on the Bully Incident was returning to the Shasta Trinity Unit headquarters with a full load of dirty fire hose and related appliances. U-2438 was staffed with two CAL FIRE firefighters and was travelling eastbound on Clear Creek Road. Approximately two-thirds of a mile east of Cloverdale Road they encountered west bound a tractor trailer in their lane. The operator of the tractor trailer made an abrupt right turn steering movement to avoid a head on collision with U-2438. The dump style 40 foot trailer, loaded with debris, jackknifed. The tractor trailer hit the south guardrail, tipped, on its driver side and continued to slide westbound blocking all lanes of traffic. The driver of U-2438 braked and moved to the right as far as possible. U-2438 was wedged between the tractor on the driver side, the trailer at the front, and the guardrail on the passenger side. Before arrival of the ground resources the firefighters self-extricated. Both firefighters were treated and released after being transported via ground ambulance to Mercy Medical Center in Redding. An investigation has been initiated by California Highway Patrol.