Steel winch cables from a 34-ton wrecker right an overturned 4,000-gallon water tanker on RAF Mildenhall, England, July 8 near the roundabout on Hawaii Street. The truck from the Mildenhall Fire Department was responding to a call during the accident. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Thomas Trower)
Tech. Sgt. Bradley Donoghue takes measurements at the scene of a major vehicle accident on RAF Mildenhall, England, July 8. The 4,000-gallon water tanker rolled onto its side near the roundabout on Hawaii Street. Sergeant Donoghue is a member of the 100th Security Forces Squadron’s accident investigation team that will analyze what occurred. The driver and sole occupant received minor injuries. He was treated at the scene and driven by ambulance to RAF Lakenheath Hospital for examination. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Thomas Trower)
Staff Sgts. Kenneth Fewell (left) and Ryan Johnson, both of the 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron, pull steel winch cables from a 34-ton wrecker toward the accident scene of an overturned water tanker on RAF Mildenhall, England, July 8 near the roundabout on Hawaii Street. The Mildenhall Fire Department's 4,000-gallon water tanker overturned while responding to a call. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Thomas Trower)
by Senior Airman Thomas Trower
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
7/8/2009 - RAF MILDENHALL, England -- A major vehicle accident occurred on base July 8 when an RAF Mildenhall Fire Department water tanker rolled onto its side near the roundabout on Hawaii Road.
The 100th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter was the sole occupant, and suffered minor injuries in the accident. He was treated at the scene and sent by ambulance to RAF Lakenheath hospital, where he was released, said Master Sgt. Mark Annis, the acting base fire chief. His name is being withheld pending a formal investigation.
Initial responders arrived, contained a small oil spill and redirected traffic. Airmen with the 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron used a 35-ton wrecker to right the truck and remove it from the scene.
The road was reopened to traffic within a few hours.
The P-26 water tanker, dispatched from the Mildenhall Fire Station, was responding to a call when it overturned prior to entering the roundabout, spilling its 4,000 gallon load, said Sergeant Annis.
The truck was the only water tanker assigned to the fire department; however the department owns several structural pump and crash response vehicles with internal water storage containers.
"The accident will have only minor impacts on base operations," said Sergeant Annis. "We cannot provide mutual aid support."
The 100th Security Forces Squadron will conduct an investigation on the accident, said Tech. Sgt. Bradley Donoghue, of the accident investigation team. An initial report is not expected for a couple days. Damage estimates are being conducted by the 100th LRS.
