Driver Rescued From Burning Semi
KSAL Staff - Wed 02:58 PM 08/22/2012
Semi crashes into ditch and catches fire, camper came to rest blocking the highway
A man is rescued from a burning vehicle on a Cloud County highway.
According to the Cloud County Sheriff's Office, 57-year-old Robert Stapp from Arkansas was driving a semi, pulling a camper behind it.
As he was headed north on US 81 Highway, he veered off the road onto the right shoulder. The semi then crossed back across the northbound lanes of the highway, crossed the median and the southbound lanes, and crashed into the ditch and caught fire.
The camper fell onto the highway, blocking all southbound traffic.
David O'Brien, who works with Stapp, was following. He ran to the aid of Stapp, finding him unconscious in the cab of the semi. O'Brien unbuckled Stapp, and drug him from the burning semi to safety.
Cloud County Rural Fire Department No. 4 and the Concordia Fire Department responded to battle the fire. At one point, medics had to rush Stapp from the scene on a spine board because the quick spreading grass fire was just feet away from them. Stapp was transported to the Cloud County Health Center.
Deputies with the Cloud County Sheriff's Office, with assistance from Kansas Highway Patrol, are investigating. Although the crash is still under investigation, it is believed a medical condition may have contributed.
The crash happened Tuesday afternoon at around 4:00, on US 81 Highway about four miles north of Concordia.
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ksfarmdude
Wednesday 22 August 2012 18:56 Report this comment
what the hell is up with these freak accidents don't people check their safety procedures ? in perfect weather these things shouldn't be happening
KSSimNut
Wednesday 22 August 2012 19:14 Report this comment
Perfect weather? 30 mph winds is perfect weather? Besides saety procedures don't do nothing to stop a medical condition when going down the road. Just glad the driver is okay thanks to the help of passing motorist he will live to see anthor day (hopefully) and shed some light on this ordeal.
Chip8
Thursday 23 August 2012 09:03 Report this comment
Hey farmdude....it's hard to prevent a medical condition from happening...try thinking before speaking...you'll be amazed!!
WhoCares
Thursday 23 August 2012 10:18 Report this comment
farmerboy, before you get in your car each time, do you check your brakes? Tires? Air Pressure? Fluids? Brake lines? Lights? And anything else that keeps you "Safe"? Any mechanical failure can happen at anytime, NO WARNING WHATSOEVER... I agree with KSS and Chip... Medical Condition could have been a factor. And KSS mentioned wind, high winds can blow a empty box trailer over with no problem. So pull your mouth out of your ass and think of what could have caused this, before adding your expertise knowledge...your starting to sound like getumgranny...