Firefighters conduct unusual rescue

Clallam Fire District 4 firefighters remove a truck from a tree on Wednesday.

Clallam Fire District 4 firefighters remove a truck from a tree on Wednesday.

By Brian Gawley

Peninsula Daily News

JOYCE — Clallam Fire District 4 firefighters removed a truck from a tree at the intersection of state Highway 112 and Graul-Ramapo Road, two and a half miles east of Joyce.

“That was quite the interesting rescue,” said Greg Waters, fire chief of Clallam Fire District No. 4.

The district responded with five people along two engines, a command car and an aid car and was on the scene from 9:15 a.m. until 10:20 a.m. Wednesday.

Waters said the left side longitudinal frame of the truck went all the way through the tree so the truck was sticking out of both sides.

“It was so firmly implanted that they couldn’t pull it out. It was just shaking the tree. That’s when the Washington State Patrol called us for fire control and extraction,” he said.

The crash resulted in spilled diesel fuel, so firefighters were hesitant about using the big saw to cut the tree, Waters said.

So they sprayed down the area and continued spraying while they were cutting, he said.

The 1979 GMC truck was registered to Brandon Dachs, 45, Port Angeles, according to the State Patrol.

He admitted to being the driver after he was contacted at Olympic Medical Center, where was listed in satisfactory condition earlier this week.

State Patrol Trooper Katherine Weatherwax said Dachs’ truck appeared to have come down Graul-Ramapo Road, gone airborne, and became lodged in a tree.

Dachs fled the scene and somehow got himself to OMC, Weatherwax said.

________

Reporter Brian Gawley can be reached at brian.gawley@sound publishing.com.

Clallam Fire District 4 firefighters remove a truck from a tree on Wednesday.

Clallam Fire District 4 firefighters remove a truck from a tree on Wednesday.

More in News

Port Angeles teachers’ union votes to honor paraeducators’ picket line on April 8

Members of the Port Angeles Education Association voted overwhelmingly… Continue reading

Funding needed for Port Townsend homeless shelter

Operation at Legion Hall to close April 30

Port of Port Angeles renews lease for Composite Recycling Technology Center

Agreement covers 26,000 square feet at airport business park

Fire district volunteers lauded

Clallam County Fire District No. 3 recently recognized seven members… Continue reading

Clallam to continue providing deputy to Forks

Contract includes wages, mileage and maintenance reimbursement

Maintenance closes section of Olympic Discovery Trail

A portion of the Olympic Discovery Trail is closed… Continue reading

Hanna Paoluccu of Alexander, N.Y., and Rosie Berg of Nevada City, Calif., members of the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group and working with the Jefferson County Noxious Weed Board, remove poisonous hemlock weed from along the Larry Scott Trail in Port Townsend on Monday. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Poison hemlock removal in Port Townsend

Hanna Paoluccu of Alexander, N.Y., and Rosie Berg of Nevada City, Calif.,… Continue reading

YMCA to build childcare facility

$1-2M still needed for $6.7M project

Port Townsend Police Department recognizes award recipients

The Port Townsend Police Department recognized officers, employees, volunteers… Continue reading

Port Angeles High School evacuated due to bomb threat

Nothing suspicious found, principal says

A tree that has grown out of its tree box and shattered a nearby curb and sidewalk in the 100 block of North Oak Street is among those targeted for removal and replacement in downtown Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Port Angeles tree and sidewalk replacement to begin Monday

The Port Angeles downtown tree and sidewalk replacement project… Continue reading

Grant for Forks treatment plant to be discussed

The Clallam County Opportunity Fund Advisory Board will discuss… Continue reading