Orange County, CA – Eight firefighters were injured, with several in critical condition, following a rollover crash on an Orange County freeway Thursday night. The crash occurred on the 241 Freeway near SR-133 in Irvine when an Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) truck swerved to avoid a ladder in the roadway, striking a guardrail and overturning.
During a Friday morning news conference, OCFA Chief Brian Fennessy updated the firefighters on their conditions. Six of the eight injured remain hospitalized, with conditions ranging from stable to critical. Two firefighters were released from the hospital Thursday night.
“We’ve got a tough road ahead,” Fennessy said, emphasizing that some firefighters will likely face extended hospital stays. He added, “We ask that you pray for our firefighters and their families… this is the beginning of a long road for many of those firefighters and our fire departments.”
Dr. Humberto Sauri from Orange County Global Medical Center also shared an update on the two most critically injured firefighters in the ICU. “One is critical but stable, while the other remains quite critical,” Sauri said.
The Freeway accident happened shortly before 7 p.m. as the fire truck, part of the Santiago Hand Crew, returned from fighting the Airport Fire in Trabuco Canyon. The vehicle swerved to avoid a ladder leading to the rollover. Fortunately, no other vehicles were involved in the accident.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is conducting a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash. A CHP spokesperson confirmed that highly trained investigators were brought to the scene to ensure proper documentation and analysis.
Our hearts go out to the injured firefighters and their families during this difficult time. We extend our gratitude to the brave individuals who risk their lives to protect our communities, and we wish for a swift and full recovery for all those affected.
This incident reminds us of the dangers first responders face, even when the emergency appears to be over.
