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IFD: 4 firefighters taken to hospital after fire truck overturns on Indy's east side

IFD Battalion Chief Rita Reith told 13News that the firefighters were heading to a nearby fatal crash when their truck overturned.

INDIANAPOLIS — Four firefighters were transported to the hospital after their fire truck overturned Saturday morning. 

Police reported to a crash on the intersection of East 30th Street and North Hawthorne Lane just before 11:30 a.m. Aug. 3.

IFD Battalion Chief Rita Reith told 13News that the firefighters were heading to a nearby fatal crash on Massachusetts Avenue and East 30th Street when their truck overturned.

According to IFD, two firetrucks were attempting to maneuver around slowed traffic and a "wide load" that was being escorted by Indiana State Police officers. One firetruck was successful, but the other was not.

It was a scene where IFD firefighters had to rescue their own.

"It was tragic," witness John Galada said. "It skipped and went sideways and flipped over on its side and rolled over to its back."

Galada heard the original wreck — where a man died after crashing his car into a parked semi truck — before witnessing the firetruck accident.

Credit: WTHR/Gina Glaros
IMPD is investigating after a person was killed in a crash near Massachusetts Avenue and East 30th Street Aug. 3, 2024.

IFD said four firefighters were transported to local hospitals, all with some level of injury. The injuries reportedly range from between minor to serious, but none are life-threatening.

Roughly 24 hours after the crash, IFD said two of the firefighters are still in the hospital with serious injuries and are receiving expert care. The other two firefighters have been released from the hospital, but will remain under medical supervision as they recover.

"It wasn't really an avoidable accident. It was serious," Galada said. "I mean, they were trying to do the best they could."

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