1926 American LaFrance Type 75 Pumper (1 of 2)
History: Reserve, E3 and/or E1
Courtesy Raleigh News & Observer
Model year |
1926 |
Make/Model |
American LaFrance Type 75 |
Serial number: |
5483 |
VIN number: |
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License plate: |
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Shop number: |
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Purchase price: |
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Manufacturing date: |
February 27, 1926 |
Delivery date: |
March __, 1926 |
Acceptance date: |
March 15, 1926 |
Notes: Equipped with 73 HP motor, 750 GPM pump.
History:
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Contract dated November 23, 1925.
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Delivered March 1926.
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Reserve engine by 1952.
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Removed from service after accident on November 14, 1952.
Operating as
Engine 6, the apparatus overturns while returning from a call, at the sharp
curve where Brooks Avenue becomes Lewis Farm Road. The apparatus is headed
north on Brooks and turns east onto Lewis Farm, where it jumps a ditch,
lands in a patch of woods, and overturns. Driver Vernon J. Smith is
seriously injured, and loses his leg. He returns to light duty, works as a
fire department dispatcher, and subsequently undergoes 29 operations before
passing away on March 10, 1956. He is the first line-of-duty death in the
Raleigh Fire Department. The 1:00 p.m. accident also pins
Captain James T. White under the wreckage, and injures the three
firefighters riding the tailboard. All five firefighters are transported and
admitted at Rex Hospital. The three tailboard firefighters are soon
released, while Captain White suffers a compound leg fracture, possible
skull fracture, broken left shoulder, back injury, and internal injuries. A
broken brake lever is determined as the cause. The apparatus was travelling
no more than 20 MPH at the time of the accident. The City Council
immediately approves funding for a new pumper. The 1926 American LaFrance
pumper is retired.
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Courtesy C. T. May
Courtesy C. T. May
This page was last updated on
07/28/19 06:56:16 PM
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