Van Buren firefighter hurt in fire truck crash

4/18/2005

VAN BUREN A 34-year-old Van Buren firefighter was injured Saturday night when he lost control of his fire truck while responding to a barn blaze near McComb.

Russell Howard, a volunteer firefighter with the Allen Township Fire Department, was westbound on State Rt. 163 near County Road 140 at 6:18 p.m. several miles west of Van Buren when, after rounding a curve, his truck left the right side of the road, Hancock County sheriff s deputies said.

In trying to gain control of the vehicle, Mr. Howard overcorrected.

The truck overturned on the driver s side and came to rest in a ditch.

Mr. Howard, who was not wearing a seat belt, was treated at Blanchard Valley Regional Health Center in Findlay, where he was released Saturday night, a hospital spokesman said.