(Dickens)– A firefighter was injured Wednesday evening after losing control of a fire truck he was driving.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office says 41-year-old Kevin Bates of Ruthven was driving the truck westbound in the 2500 mile of Highway 18 when he swerved to avoid a deer. Authorities say Bates then lost control of the truck, loaded with 1,200 gallons of water. Deputies say Bates attempted to regain control, but the truck started to slide toward the south ditch, spinning about 180 degrees as it hit the ditch embankment. It then rolled onto its top, coming to rest facing northeast.
Bates was taken to Spencer Hospital for treatment of possible injuries.
About $5,000 in damage was estimated to the 1984 Chevrolet C70 truck, owned by the Dickens Fire Department.
The incident took place shortly before 8:00 p.m.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Dickens Fire and Rescue and the Spencer Hospital ambulance and paramedics.
