Machinery Fire Sends Column of Black Smoke Over Golden Valley

PHOTO:
Chief O’Donohue approaches the fire to assess hazards for incoming firefighters.

NARRATIVE:
Heat from a welder ignited this fire at a rock quarry on Hope Road just north of Shinarump Road Monday afternoon at 4:15 PM. Chief O’Donohue, driving down Hwy-68, noticed heavy black smoke going several hundred feet into the air from about 8-miles away and requested Golden Valley Fire units be dispatched. Upon arrival, crews discovered the thick rubberized conveyor belt and rollers on fire. The owner of the quarry was attempting to extinguish the fire with a small fire hose on site, which was brought under control within a few minutes of arrival.  Damage is estimated at $5,000 for repair & replacement.

Rollover Accident Critically Injures Local Female

PHOTO:
GVFD paramedic - firefighters aggressively tend to the patient injured in the rollover accident.

NARRATIVE:
Monday at 4:52 PM, Golden Valley Firefighters responded to single vehicle rollover accident on northbound Hwy-93 at Mile Post 61. Firefighters arrived to find a 37-year old female driver trapped inside her vehicle that reportedly rolled multiple times before coming to rest on its wheels about 75 feet off the access road. Firefighters worked for approximately 20-minutes to extricate the victim, eventually removing the entire driver side passenger compartment to gain access. The patient was transported to KRMC. DPS remained on scene to investigate the cause. Due to the location of the accident, traffic was not impeded during the extrication.

Motorcyclist Survives 75-MPH Crash

PHOTO: 
Golden Valley Firefighter-Paramedics treat the driver of this late model Harley that lost control on Hwy-40.

NARRATIVE: 
A 71-year-old motorcycle rider lost control, following a flat tire Wednesday at 10:10 AM, while traveling with at least two other motorcyclists from California. Witnesses report seeing the motorcycle begin to wobble violently from a flat tire before the driver lost control, sending the motorcycle and rider sliding down the highway. The rider who was wearing protective gear and a full-face helmet suffered only minor injuries in the accident. Chief O’Donohue credits the rider’s safety precautions for saving his life. “His full-faced helmet took the brunt of the force when his head and face struck the surface of the 75-MPH stretch of highway”, O’Donohue reported. Both the helmet and the motorcycle received severe damage. There were no other injuries and westbound traffic was slowed for about 30-minutes while emergency crews and DPS cleared the scene. The rider refused transport to the hospital.

Single Vehicle Rollover Sends One to the Hospital

Photo and Story by Butch Meriwether

Photo: MCSO Sergeant Bischoff can be seen completing his investigation along with Firefighter Justin Ramos. 

Narrative: Golden Valley Paramedic-Firefighters responded to a single vehicle rollover Monday at 2:25 PM on Griffith Road just west of Hwy-40. The female driver of a 2002 Chrysler PT failed to negotiate the corner, causing the vehicle leave the roadway and roll over, finally ending up on its wheels. The female driver who was the only occupant, was transported to KRMC for injuries received in this accident. The cause of the accident is under investigation by MCSO.

Planting Trees on Earth Day

Mike Turner and his daughter Marcie Turner, of Island Palms Nursery in Golden Valley, use a tractor today to move one of the numerous trees they are delivering to the new 12,000-square-foot Golden Valley Fire District (GVFD) fire station being constructed on Bacobi Road. 

Photo and story by Butch Meriwether 

Island Palms Nursery was awarded a $5,000 contract to provide various draught-tolerant trees and shrubs to be used on the new fire station property. According To Fire Chief Thomas O’Donohue of GVFD, they would gladly accept any plant and tree donations by residents who want to help out with the beautification of the fire district and to be utilized at the new fire station or the other existing fire stations. Chief O’Donohue did say the donated trees and shrubs must fall within the GVFD’s guidelines and plans for draught-tolerant vegetation. For further information about the type of trees and vegetation they will accept as a donation, please contact the GVFD administrative office at (928) 565-3479.

Truck vs. Quad Accident Sends Two to Hospital

PHOTO:

Golden Valley Paramedic/Firefighters treat a 12-year old female who suffered multiple injuries after being struck by a pickup truck (shown in background).

NARRATIVE:

Tuesday evening at 6:48 PM, Golden Valley Firefighters responded with MCSO to a pickup truck versus quad accident at the intersection of Shipp & San Pedro Roads. Firefighters treated two females, one 18 and the other 12 years of age, who were riding the quad; neither rider was wearing a helmet. Bystanders reported the quad riders entered the controlled intersection and collided with the eastbound full-size Dodge pickup, throwing both riders onto the pavement as their quad was struck and rolled under the front of the pickup. Both females were transported to KRMC for traumatic, although not believed to be life-threatening injuries. MCSO remained on scene to investigate the accident. The driver of the Dodge pickup was not injured in the collision. Fire officials urge all ATV and motorcycle riders to always wear proper gear, including an approved helmet to protect from head injuries which often prove fatal.

Close-Call Hwy-40 Car Fire

PHOTOS: 
Firefighter Justin Ramos prepares to extinguish the fire under the hood and inside the driver compartment. 

NARRATIVE:
Thursday at 6:45 am, Golden Valley Firefighters extinguished a car fire on Hwy-40 at the Shinarump exit. The driver of the late 90’s Nissan was Eastbound when a vehicle driving in the same direction noticed the Nissan was on fire. The driver of the Nissan, unaware her car was on fire, initially did not pull over despite the frantic waving from the other driver. When the Nissan driver decided to pull over, she notice her brakes weren’t working and the car began to fill with smoke. Safely away from the vehicle, the passerby called 911. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and pushed the vehicle out of the roadway.

Semi Rollover Slows Hwy-40 Traffic

Thursday at 6:20 am, Golden Valley Firefighters responded to a semi rollover accident on Hwy-40 at Mile-Post 44. The semi, operated by Sierra West out of Santa Ana California, was the only vehicle involved. The accident occurred when the 19-year-old driver lost control of the semi truck, injuring himself and a passenger who was reported as being in the sleeper cab at the time. Both men were transported to KRMC for treatment and evaluation. The semi came to rest on its top facing the opposite direction of travel, ripping open the trailer which was full of food items. The driver reported to fire officials he had no idea how the truck came to rest in that position. This accident blocked one lane of traffic for about an hour while emergency crews treated patients and DPS investigated the accident.