LANDOVER, Md. — The scene where four Prince George’s County firefighters were injured in a violent crash on the Capital Beltway in Landover early Wednesday morning is still being cleaned up hours later.
According to Maryland State Police, the collision involving a fire truck, a tractor trailer, and a Jeep occurred just before 3:00 a.m. on the Inner Loop of I-495 just south of Route 50.
Prince George’s County Fire Chief Marc Bashoor told WUSA*9 reporter Delia Goncalves the crash occurred when Fire Engine 828 out of West Lanham Hills was heading back home after responding to a call. Chief Bashoor says it appears the engine was struck by the tractor trailer from behind, sending both vehicles into the concrete barrier separating the Inner and Outer Loops.
This initial collision sent wreckage and concrete debris into the northbound lanes of the Beltway, where a Jeep was also caught up in the crash.
State Police said the crash sent a total of 7 patients to hospitals by ambulance and Medevac.
Chief Alicia Francis, spokeswoman for Prince George’s County Fire and Rescue, confirmed four of the seven patients were firefighters. One firefighter was taken to Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, which specializes in severe limb injuries. He is undergoing surgery but may lose an arm, reported WUSA*9 reporter Delia Goncalves.
The other three firefighters were treated and released. Career firefighters will work the volunteer firefighters’ overnight hours until they recover.
According to Chief Francis, the driver of the tractor trailer and two victims from the Jeep were taken to Medstar. The severity of the civilians’ injuries are unknown.
Travel lanes of the Outer Loop south of Rt. 50 are open. The Inner Loop is expected to remain blocked for several more hours. The fire truck was put on a flat bed to be taken away but the tractor trailer remained on its side at noon Wednesday.
Officials say the fire truck cost $500,000.