Sunrise Highway [7-19-12]
Around 15:40 hours on the afternoon of July 19th, the Lynbrook Fire Department was dispatched to a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Sunrise Highway and Forest Avenue. Unlike other accidents, the additional given by FireCom was an unusual one – a steamroller had struck an overpass. When the call went out, the Lynbrook Chiefs were not in town as they were at the Baltimore Fire Expo. The Captains of Tally Ho and of the Truck Company acted as incident command on scene. Because it was uncertain what exactly they had on scene, they requested the call be upgraded to a general alarm while they were en route. Lynbrook Engine 421 and Ladder 428 were the first on scene and remained there until the steamroller was up righted. HazMat was also requested to the scene because of the diesel fuel and hydraulic fluid actively leaking from the steamroller. Nassau County Emergency Services Unit 2423 also responded to the scene to assist.
It was discovered that the steamroller was on the back of a flatbed and struck the LIRR overpass spanning Sunrise Highway. Fortunately, when the seven ton piece of equipment fell it did not strike any other vehicles, and there were no injuries on the scene. Gemma’s Towing positioned two heavy duty tows on each side of the steamroller. By doing this, they were able to stabilize it and bring it right side up. Eastbound traffic on Sunrise Highway was diverted at Atlantic Avenue and remained closed for close to two hours.
Read MoreIt was discovered that the steamroller was on the back of a flatbed and struck the LIRR overpass spanning Sunrise Highway. Fortunately, when the seven ton piece of equipment fell it did not strike any other vehicles, and there were no injuries on the scene. Gemma’s Towing positioned two heavy duty tows on each side of the steamroller. By doing this, they were able to stabilize it and bring it right side up. Eastbound traffic on Sunrise Highway was diverted at Atlantic Avenue and remained closed for close to two hours.