OHP units struck on turnpike

[K5MAR]

Listening to Turner 1 (42128), just had a couple of OHP units on the turnpike crunched, mile 160 at the bridge. Rolling EMS. It was 292 and 776.

Update, 776's unit wasn't damaged, but 292's was.

Mark S.

 

[K5MAR]

Keeps on getting more interesting! 292 was almost struck by a passing white van. He had to dive out of the way, and got the wind knocked out of him.

Mark S.

 

[mfolta1]

when and what time did this happen? i drink coffee with 776 several times a week, dont really want to call him at 7 am for info since i read you said he was ok.

 

[K5MAR]

I was posting events near realtime, just a few minutes lag, as I was reading RR after work when this all happened, so make it about 12:30 AM Monday morning.

Followup: it seems that 292 had to take a head dive over the embankment at the end of the bridge to avoid being hit. He broke his cellphone when he landed on it, and was apparently banged up and bruised, but no apparent serious injuries. The supervisor took him to the ER later on to be checked out. The troopers on scene reported that people coming up on the bridge (and accident scene) were still doing 60-70 MPH, way too fast for conditions!

Mike, next time you see 776, tell him I'm glad things weren't worse than they were, I had to swallow my heart when I heard him calling 292 asking if he was alright.

Mark S.

 

[dstew67]

I happened to be listening in bed while that happened. I was wide awakie after that!!

 

[WX5JCH]

I saw the ohp unit on ch 9 news, the back end looked messed up. I hope the trooper is ok.

 

[K5MAR]

The trooper was not in his unit when it was struck, thankfully. However, his subsequent jump to avoid being runover by another careless motorist resulted in his taking a 12 foot fall from the side of the bridge to the embankment below. He was reported to be bruised and shook up, but otherwise OK. His fall has only slightly broken by landing on his cellphone, which was totally broken! :lol:

Let's see here: his unit was totalled, and he had to jump off a bridge to avoid being run down. I do not want to be standing next to him during a thunderstorm!

Mark S.