The Texas State Fire Marshal’s office recently released a report on the death of Dallas (TX) Firefighter William Scott Tanksley, who died last year after falling from a bridge overpass.
On February 10, 2014, at approximately 8:30 p.m., Dallas Fire-Rescue Department Firefighter William Scott Tanksley was struck by a motor vehicle while working the scene of a multiple vehicle accident. Firefighter Tanksley, along with other Dallas Fire-Rescue units, responded to a multiple vehicle accident on an icy overpass. While Firefighter Tanksley was assessing the conditions and checking for injured motorists, the driver of another vehicle lost control on the icy roadway and struck Firefighter Tanksley, causing him to fall off the bridge to the roadway below. Firefighter Tanksley was transported to Methodist Dallas Medical Center but succumbed to the injuries. An autopsy conducted by the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office revealed the cause of death was blunt force trauma.
Among the recommendations the report made in this case:
- Firefighter Tanksley crossed over the median barrier after he apparently witnessed a single-car accident. Use of a Lookout might have alerted Tanksley to the danger in time for him to react. All department personnel should emphasize the importance of personnel safety.
- Firefighter Tanksley did not communicate to the Incident Commander his intention to cross the median barrier into open lanes of traffic. Use of NIMS/ICS requires communication by responders to the Incident Commander to allow for effective coordination of resources and situational awareness.
Download the full report at http://www.tdi.texas.gov/reports/fire/documents/fmloddtanksley.pdf
