Previous Story
Water truck turns turtle along Route 36
|
Posted on Mar 31 2023
Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel work to free a driver who was trapped under this RNV water truck that had turned turtle near Route 36. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
An RNV Construction water truck was found on its back near Route 36 and inclement weather was being blamed for the accident. Fortunately, the driver escaped with his life with just a few cuts and scrapes to show for it.
According to Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, male caller reported last Wednesday, at approximately 1:12pm that there was an overturned vehicle on the road near Old Man by the Sea along Route 36.
DFEMS stated in a news release that they responded to the location at 1:16am.
Upon arriving at the scene, firefighter Mariano A. Aguon, stated that the vehicle was seen flipped over and resting on its roof. The driver had to be extracted from the vehicle, using specialized tools.
The DFEMS statement said that its personnel had to use the “Jaws of Life” and a cutter to cut and open the door so DFEMS personnel could take the driver out of the vehicle.
Once the driver was pulled from the vehicle, he was placed on a spine board and brought to the Commonwealth Health Center for further medical attention.
When asked about what had happened, the driver stated that he was driving downhill and, when he tried to avoid another truck, his vehicle slid to the left side of the road and caused it to flip onto its back.
Saipan Tribune learned that, in addition to dodging another vehicle, the victim complained about brake issues.
Meanwhile, in a statement from RNV operations manager Moises Tagle Jr., he said scattered rain showers caused slippery road conditions, leading to the accident.
“Initially, the scattered rain showers throughout yesterday caused slippery road conditions around the area of the curved road. Our water truck driver managed to stay in control of the steering wheel to avoid the ravine but instead he ended up hitting the mountain area, which caused the water truck to tip over. The driver was eventually brought to the hospital by the ambulance but was released later that day. He just got a small cut on his cheek and some scratches on his left arm due to the accident. Other possible causes of the accident are still under investigation,” he said.
