2 Miami Firefighters Struck While Helping Crash Victims

MIAMI, FL — Two Miami firefighters were struck by an SUV that spiraled out of control as they were trying to free the driver of another vehicle along I-95. The incident occurred shortly before 2 a.m. in the northbound lanes of the highway. The firefighters had been working on the 62nd Street exit ramp.

"As firefighters were attempting to extricate the driver of a Nissan SUV, a Toyota SUV sideswiped the rescue truck, hitting two firefighters and eventually crashing into the rear of the fire truck," explained Captain Ignatius Carroll of Miami Fire Rescue.

A young adult male riding in the Toyota was killed in the crash and pronounced dead on the scene by Miami fire responders. Four other people in the Toyota were injured.

"The Toyota began to rotate towards the Fire Rescue personnel, striking two of them while they were outside the Engine," added Lt. Alex Camacho of Florida Highway Patrol. "The Toyota also collided with city of Miami Fire Rescue Engine 6 and a concrete wall on the right shoulder."

Carroll said that fellow firefighters immediately helped the injured first responders. "Firefighters rushed to the aid of their injured co-workers and found five people inside of the Toyota with serious injuries," he said. "Paramedics requested additional units to respond for this Level 1 Mass Casualty Incident."

Carroll said first responders assisted nine people in all, including the person who died. "Five patients, including the two firefighters, were transported to Ryder Trauma Center, one patient transported to Jackson Memorial ER and two transported to University of Miami Hospital," Carroll said.

The northbound lanes of I-95, from the exit of 62nd Street to the 62nd Street on-ramp were closed for four hours as Florida Highway Patrol investigated the crash scene.

Florida Highway Patrol is withholding the name of the man who was killed pending notification of the next of kin.

Camacho said one of the firefighters was later released from the hospital. The other was in stable condition, according to Florida Highway Patrol.

Photos courtesy Miami Fire Rescue