CHP report: Redding Hotshots’ truck was hit head-on

A Lexus drifted over the yellow line into oncoming traffic

The California Highway Patrol reports that the Redding Hotshots’ crew carrier (or “buggy”) was hit head-on in the accident that sent all 10 occupants of the truck to hospitals on April 30.

The accident was reported by the crew via radio. Members of the 20-person crew trained in first aid began treatment of their injured colleagues immediately.

The other vehicle, a 1996 Lexus, was driven by Linda L. Corr, 66. The report indicates that the Lexus drifted across the yellow line into oncoming traffic and collided with the crew carrier. Ms. Coor was transported by helicopter complaining of pain in her chest.

One of the firefighters was transported by CHP helicopter to Shasta Regional Medial Center. Another was taken by ground ambulance and the other eight were transported by U.S. Forest Service vehicles to local hospitals.

As of May 1 two firefighters were still in the hospital.

Redding Hotshots' Crew Carrier
The Redding Hotshots’ Crew Carrier. Screengrab from @KRCR Photog video.

The crew had been engaged in chain saw training and were returning to their Redding, California base when the accident occurred on SR-299 west of Burney at 5:10 p.m. As is typical of a Type 1 crew, they were traveling in three vehicles — two crew carriers and a superintendent’s truck.

The Forest Service has released very little information about the incident.

Redding Hotshots involved in vehicle crash with multiple injuries

The crew is based in Redding, California

(UPDATED at 11:02 a.m. PDT May 1, 2019)

Stanton Florea, a spokesperson for the U.S.  Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region, confirmed that a total of 10 crewmembers on the Redding Interagency Hotshots were injured in the crash of their crew carrier yesterday, April 30.  At least one was transported from the scene by helicopter. Two crewmembers are still in the hospital.

The crew was engaged in chain saw training away from their base in Redding, and was en route back when the accident occurred.

(UPDATED at 7:27 a.m. PDT May 1, 2019)

Redding Hotshots' Crew Carrier
The Redding Hotshots’ Crew Carrier. Screengrab from @KRCR Photog.

We will update this article as more of the details become available.

Redding Hotshots

The Redding Hotshots differ from the typical Hotshot Crew in that firefighters are detailed to the crew from other units. It is a Regional resource rather than being tied to a specific National Forest or Park like other Type 1 crews. In addition they receive a concentrated fire management training opportunity through supervising a squad of 3-7 crewmembers during fire suppression, prescribed fire and other emergency incidents.


(Originally published at 8:05 p.m. PDT April 30, 2019)

The Shasta County News Source is reporting that a vehicle carrying members of the U.S. Forest Service Redding Hotshots was involved in a two-vehicle accident in Burney, California, which is about 56 miles northeast of the crew’s base in Redding.

The report has numerous details which may have been gathered from monitored radio conversations.

The Incident Commander reported the crew carrier was off the road and on its side, and immediately declared it to be a Mass Casualty incident.

Two or possibly three of the injured were flown to hospitals, and approximately eight or nine others with minor injuries were transported in ground vehicles. It is believed that a person in the other vehicle, a Lexus, is included in the numbers.

The accident was reported at about 5:12 p.m. Tuesday April 30.

The details may change as the story evolves. We will update this article as more details emerge.

(Click here for an update on the accident.)

Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to Tom. Typos or errors, report them HERE.