On Monday, April 24th, the Berwyn Fire Company was dispatched at 3:05 p.m. to a motor vehicle collision in the area of W. Swedesford Road and Westlakes Drive in Tredyffrin Township. This ended up being a minor crash with both drivers escaping injury. While responding to this incident, Berwyn Engine 2-2 struck the Old Lancaster Road Bridge near the Main Line Berwyn Apartments.

The cause of the accident is being investigated, but there appears to have been a tire or axle failure prior to the collision. Fortunately no one was injured and no other vehicles were involved. Tom Door's Exxon Towing and Tommy's Main Line Towing worked in tandem to get Engine 2-2 towed from the scene. It is anticipated the unit will be out of service for 3-4 weeks.

Thank you to the Tredyffrin Twp. Police Department, Easttown Twp. Police Department, Tredyffrin Twp. Staff and General Insurance Agency, Inc. for their prompt assistance at the scene. The bridge remained closed, per standard procedure, until the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation could inspect it. The bridge was re-opened by 5:30 p.m.

*** 04/25/2017 UPDATE: After a careful review of Engine 2-2, '07 Pierce Enforcer, by Phoenix Fire, LLC, Glick Fire Equipment Company (Pierce), and the General Insurance Agency, Inc. it was determined a tire blowout on the front passenger side occurred. Since the operator of the apparatus was able to maintain control they avoided striking other vehicles on the bridge and in turn reduced the damage to the engine itself.

As long as all repairs and diagnostics go smoothly we will be able to get the engine back in service within two weeks. We are counting our lucky stars in what could have been a more serious incident.