ORINDA, Calif. — Hydroplaning during heavy rain is being blamed for a crash that injured three Calif. firefighters and several other pedestrians.
Capt. Michael Rattary, Firefighter Kelly Morris, and Firefighter Stephen Rogness were all inside a Moraga-Orinda Fire District truck that was parked on a highway, protecting damaged cars from previous accidents Sunday morning, when an incoming car lost control and crashed into the apparatus, according to Rockridge Patch.
The firefighters were not injured in the collision, but while they stepped outside the truck to speak to the car’s driver, an SUV drove by and clipped the apparatus, causing the SUV to flip on its roof and skid into the three firefighters and the driver from the first crash.
The driver of the car from the first crash suffered critical injuries while the firefighters are in serious, but stable condition and are expected to survive.
Two of the firefighters will require surgery.
Investigators say motorists were driving too fast for the heavy rain and slick conditions.