Yesterday morning, June 23, 2011, the Houston Fire Department responded to a major motor vehicle accident with extrication needed about 8:45 a.m. The accident was located on the 6100 block of Highway 288. The first unit arrived on scene within four minutes and found a heavily damaged Metro bus that had collided into a bridge.

Firefighters immediately requested extrication and upon further examination identified a fatality and requested the medical examiner (M.E.). While awaiting the M.E.s arrival HFD units worked on ensuring the scene was safe and securing a hazard area, stabilizing the bus and stabilizing and shoring the bridge to prevent any possibility of collapse. Hazmat was also called out to ensure safety due to the oil, diesel and other hazardous material that was leaking from the bus.

Once the medical examiner arrived, HFD members performed extrication from the wreckage and turned the victim over to the Medical Examiner.

Before leaving the scene, firefighters made sure the hazardous material spills were cleaned from the roads to ensure the safety of other travelers. This involved application of dispersants and washing to roads down with hose lines. Approximately 40 firefighters responded to the scene which was cleared about noon.