Fire Apparatus Crash on Capitol Beltway


On January 30, 2013, at approximately 2:50 am,  an Engine from Company 828 (West Lanham Hills) was involved in a motor vehicle collision that took place in the southbound lanes of the Capitol Beltway (95/495) just south of the John Hanson Highway (Route 50).  The collision involved a tractor trailer and an SUV.   The Prince George’s County Police Department is handling the investigation.

A total of seven patients were taken to area hospitals.   All four of the personnel operating Engine 828 were taken to Prince George’s Hospital Center.  Three of the injured were treated and released by 9:00 this morning.  The fourth injured fire fighter, Volunteer Fire Lieutenant Ryan Emmons, age 30, has been transferred from the Prince George’s Regional Trauma Center to Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore. Initially reported to be in “very serious” condition, V/F/F Emmons’ prognosis is currently reported to “guarded”, but improving.   At the time of this release, Emmons is in surgery, which is expected to continue for the next several hours.  No further information on his injuries or condition will be made available at this time.

The remaining three crew members are identified as Volunteer Fire Lieutenant Jack Lesqure, age 24; Volunteer Fire Lieutenant Michael Simmons, age 29; and Volunteer Fire Fighter George Hirsch, age 22.   The driver of the tractor trailer and the driver and occupant of the SUV were all taken to the MedStar Regional Trauma Center at the Washington Hospital Center.  No further information is currently available on their condition.

Fire Chief Marc Bashoor and Volunteer Fire Chief 828 John Alter have both visited with the injured fire fighters and their families at the hospitals.

Further information will be released as conditions warrant.

Alicia A. Francis, Assistant Fire Chief
Executive Officer to the Fire Chief
Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department
9201 Basil Ct - Suite 452
Largo, MD 20774
Office: 301 883-5203
E-mail: aafrancis@co.pg.md.us


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