| The following is a statement from the West Grove Fire Company:
A West Grove Fire Company (WGFC) fire police officer was injured while performing fire police traffic control on State Route 896 in Franklin Township on Friday January 12, 2024.
The WGFC Fire Police were dispatched on Friday afternoon January 12 to assist PECO utility crew with traffic control along SR 896 in Franklin Township. WGFC Fire Police officers assisted with static road closure devices (signs, cones, flares) at multiple points along SR 896.
Shortly after 5:00 pm, the utility crews were finished and WGFC Fire Police unit returned to the road closure points to collect the road closed devices. At 5:32 pm a WGFC Fire Police member arrived at the intersection of SR 896 and Parsons Road. Upon exiting his vehicle, our member was struck by a vehicle that had driven over cones and through the road closure devices. Our member was able to call for help with his department issued radio. Multiple community members stopped to render aid to our injured member. WGFC Rescue and EMS, Medic 94 and Pennsylvania State Police responded to the scene. Our fire police member was transported to Christiana Hospital Trauma Unit with non-life-threatening injuries. Our member was released from the hospital on Saturday January 13.
The striking vehicle remained on scene. Pennsylvania State Police (Avondale) troopers are investigating. Anyone with further information can call PSP Avondale 610-268-2022.
The WGFC extends is sincere appreciation to the many emergency services organizations and members of the public who have reached out to the fire company to express their concerns and best wishes for our injured fire policeman. We are grateful that he is home safe and recovering, and hope this incident is a wake up call to remind all that road closure and traffic safety officials are in place to assure a safe working environment for first responders -- these signs and warning systems are not optional, and are in place for a reason, and with the full authority of Commonwealth of PA traffic laws and regulations. |
