Orange County Firefighters Critically Injured in Irvine Tollway Crash

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IRVINE (CNS) - Eight members of an Orange County Fire Authority hand crew injured -- six critically -- in a solo-vehicle crash of their transport truck on the northbound Foothill (241) Toll Road in Irvine are recovering Friday.

The crash occurred around 6:57 p.m. Thursday near Tomato Springs Road, the California Highway Patrol confirmed to City News Service.

The injured firefighters were returning from a 12-hour shift fighting the Airport Fire, OCFA Chief Brian Fennessy told reporters at a news conference.

KTLA 5 reported the firefighters were taken to various hospitals and trauma centers. The station reported the truck struck a ladder on the toll road and then slammed into a guardrail before rolling over.

Two firefighters were taken to a hospital in moderate condition.

The Orange County CHP issued a SigAlert closing all lanes of the toll road north of Tomato Springs Road and traffic was diverted at Portola Springs while the CHP investigated the crash.

Fennessy said fire officials would have more details regarding the crash and the condition of the firefighters on Friday.

"We ask that you pray for our firefighters and their families. This is the beginning of a long road for our firefighters and their families," he said.


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