Wednesday, February 16, 2000
Mason fire chief hurt at rescue scene
BY DAVID ECK
Enquirer Contributor
LEBANON — Mason Fire Chief William Goldfeder suffered minor injuries Monday evening in a freak accident while he was investigating a wreck on Interstate 71.
Fire crews were working on a patient in a wrecked car on I-71 near Ohio 48 when a sport-utility vehicle belonging to the Union Township Fire Department rolled into the wreckage, hitting Chief Goldfeder. A firefighter jumped inside and backed the rescue vehicle away from the chief, said Union Township Fire Chief Gary Arnold. There was no one in the vehicle when it started rolling.
Chief Goldfeder was treated at Bethesda North Hospital for bruises on his left leg and released.
“It's just really odd,” Chief Arnold said. “I don't know what happened. (Chief Goldfeder) was between my car and the other car. It's scary when one of your own gets hurt.”
Firefighters were trying to free Kenichi Konagaya from his overturned Dodge Intrepid when the fire vehicle hit the chief. Mr. Konagaya, whose address was not available, was flown to Miami Valley Hospital, where he was in critical condition Tuesday.
Ohio State Highway Patrol dispatcher Jerri Redfern said Mr. Konagaya was entering southbound I-71 from Ohio 48 shortly after 8 p.m. when his car went out of control, hit the back of a tractor-trailer rig and flipped several times. It took firefighters nearly 30 minutes to free Mr. Konagaya. He was alone in the car.
Mason Firefighter Brad Weesner was talking with Mr. Konagaya and saw the fire car moving. “There was no time to give any warning,” he said. “There was a significant impact between the (fire) truck and car, and the chief was in the middle of it.”
State troopers tested the fire department's 1999 Chevrolet Suburban Monday night. They are investigating why it rolled and whether there have been any recalls on the model, Chief Arnold said. The truck had been sitting at the accident scene at least five minutes before it started moving.
Chief Goldfeder will be on light duty for several days. The 27-year fire service veteran said he has never been seriously injured in his career.
“There are hazards in what we do,” Chief Goldfeder said. “It just kind of goes with the territory. We go to places where bad things have happened.”
Stadium bill up $14.3M
County bears main blame in stadium fiasco
Stadium a big political problem for Bedinghaus
Who's who on the stadium team
Child alerts take to airwaves
Officer in cruiser shootout retires
Schools get large part of tobacco settlement
City defends support for development group
Collegians find politics and fun can be good mix
Auto Expo opens today at convention center
Drug officers fan out at banks
Hotel-tax hike gains backer
Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
'Oprah' slips in Tristate ratings
Oscar nominees hold surprises
Complete list of Oscar nominations
GET TO IT
Appeals court OKs peculiar use of jury
Attempted fraud lands 3rd perpetrator in prison
Audience appreciates Cowboy Junkies' pace
Butler chips in $3M to revamp mall
Cathedrals, universities called forces in cities
Clermont County goes all out to mark 200th
Computer technician indicted on porn charges
F. Lee Bailey says Sheppard fought 2
First-graders learn to sign
Insurer backs off cancer payments
Kentucky venture investments possible
Lincoln Heights considers new truck-ban ordinance
Man pleads guilty to child porn
Mason fire chief hurt at rescue scene
Offers made on old toys
Politicking gets cop suspended
School bus drivers defy union
Schools to aid health outreach
Slain man was naked and bound
Track condition stops the train
TRISTATE DIGEST
Victim's family helps killer avoid death
Warren officials question purchases
Woodlawn manager quits
