Over the last three days the Nelson Fire Department responded to 10 incidents leading up to Christmas Eve. Most notably were two vehicle fires on December 22 and 23 followed by three motor vehicle accidents on Christmas Eve. Fortunately no one was injured in these incidents.
The most dramatic incident happened on highway 6 south of Nelson, just past Nelson Toyota.
A vehicle was heading towards Salmo when it lost control and the left the roadway, rolling down the bank into Cottonwood Creek.
The two occupants were trapped inside and not able to get out. RCMP were first on scene and were able to verbally contact the occupants in the vehicle and received information that they did not seem to be seriously injured.
When fire crews arrived on scene the first priority was to stabilize the vehicle so that it did not roll off of it’s side further into the creek.
The first arriving crew was tasked with setting up vehicle stabilizers in the freezing creek water. Additional members were called in from home and responded to the scene and were able to assist with setting up ladders to traverse the creek and provide better access up and down the bank.
Once the vehicle was stabilized, the two occupants were able to exit the vehicle onto the ladder that was across the creek and come up the bank where they were treated by BC Ambulance personnel.
While working on the incident with the vehicle in the creek, fire crews responded to two additional motor vehicle accidents on the same stretch of highway. The first incident the vehicle had just slid off of the road and passersby had helped push them out of the ditch. The second incident the vehicle had ended up on it’s roof. Fortunately there were no injuries in either of these incidents.
The two previous days fire crews had responded to vehicle fires. The first one being in front of Blewett School and appears to have been the result of a fuel leak. The second fire was in Nelson on Third Street and appears to be electrical in nature.
Nelson Fire Rescue would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that if you suspect any mechanical problems with your vehicle that you should get it inspected by a mechanic.