Keizer Medic Unit Gets Struck Returning From Hospital

Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - Keizer Firefighters were the first on scene at accident at Ferry and Church Street in Salem this afternoon. They were so quick to respond because they were involved in the accident.

Firefighter/Paramedics Chris Waldroop and Ryan Harris were returning from Salem Hospital to Keizer after taking a patient to the emergency room. All was normal in their day until they reach the intersection of Church and Ferry. Harris, who was driving Medic 36 through the intersection, saw a Ford Taurus fail to stop at the red light. He attempted to avoid the accident, but was struck in the rear quarter panel of the medic unit.

Waldrop and Harris immediately checked on the other driver and contacted dispatch to notify of the accident. Everyone was wearing their seatbelts and all safety devices worked correctly. The other driver who was driving a 2001 Ford Taurus was uninjured; however her vehicle received moderate damage.

The medic unit sustained several hundred dollars in damage, but was driven back to the Keizer Fire Station. Neither Firefighter was injured. Medic 36 will be taken out of service until repairs can be made, until that time the reserve medic a 1999 Freightliner will be used. The other driver did receive a citation.

Source: Keizer Fire District