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Truck collision on US 41 3-8-12
A large tractor-trailer rear-ended another semi-truck yesterday morning on Route 41, northbound, just north of Route 176. The collision happened directly in front of the Knollwood Fire Station, after the second driver apparently failed to notice the first truck slowing down. The driver of the first truck was unharmed, while the second driver became trapped inside his vehicle for nearly an hour. Firefighters from Knollwood, Lake Bluff, North Chicago, and Great Lakes worked together to free him.
Tim Olk was on the scene and captured several powerful images of the incident. In one photo, firefighters are seen using a saw to cut open the back wall of the truck’s cab. Another shows teams working from the front and side of the vehicle to reach the trapped driver. A chain is attached to the engine block, helping to pull the dashboard away for better access.
After being freed, the driver was transported to Condell Hospital by paramedics from Lake Forest. As more space became available after the other truck was moved, firefighters had better access to continue their efforts. The Lake Bluff Squad 520 "The Guardian" provided many of the tools used during the rescue.
A full gallery of photos from the scene is available [here].
This was a tense and challenging situation, highlighting the quick response and teamwork of multiple fire departments. The use of specialized equipment and coordinated efforts ensured the safe extraction of the injured driver.