Heavy Equipment Rollover on Old Post Road
 
By First Assistant Fire Chief Graham Glauber
March 8, 2022
 

At 10:24 a.m. on March 8th, Bedford Fire and EMS were dispatched to the area in front of 716 Old Post Road for a reported equipment rollover with fire.

On arrival, a large Cat wheel loader was found to be rolled on its side off the roadway on Old Post Road (Route 121). Car 2042 was in command for the incident. Bedford FD worked with Bedford PD to immediately close the road and reroute traffic through Seminary Road.

An expedite was requested for NYSEG as there were live power lines down on the vehicle, and a telephone pole was snapped in half. The house service for 719 Old Post was also ripped from the ground.

The operator was able to extricate themselves and was treated at the scene by Ambulance 52-B2 crew and a WEMS medic.

NYSEG cut power to the area, cut the remainder of the pole out, and tied up the de-engerized lines to a high point to allow for removal of the vehicle. NYSDOT was notified as 100 feet of guard rail was damaged or removed during equipment recovery. Reliable Towing and Fancher Excavating worked to hoist the machine back on to the road and transport it from the scene.

Car 2042 called a NYC DEP Hazmat representative to the scene as there was a potential for diesel fuel and hydraulic fluid release into a waterway. Rescue 44 crews put out precautionary boom pads to stop and materials; luckily, there were no leaks detected.

Engine 110, Rescue 44 and Utility 140 crews remained on scene during recovery. Bedford Hills Fire was put on standby in their quarters to cover our calls for the duration. Units went back in service after almost 4 hours on scene.

 
Units: Car 2042, Engine 110, Rescue 44, Ambulance 52-B2, Utility 140
 
Mutual Aid: NYC DEP Hazmat, Bedford PD