Firefighters stay busy

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Emergency crews tend to a tractor trailer which overturned and slide down the embankment of the Naugatuck River Wednesday. It happened during the afternoon commute along Route 8 South near Exit 25 in Beacon Falls. –REPUBLICAN AMERICAN
Emergency crews tend to a tractor trailer which overturned and slide down the embankment of the Naugatuck River Wednesday. It happened during the afternoon commute along Route 8 South near Exit 25 in Beacon Falls. –REPUBLICAN AMERICAN

BEACON FALLS — A tractor trailer accident on Route 8 and a small fire on Main Street kept emergency responders busy Thanksgiving eve.

According to a state police accident report, a tractor trailer was traveling in the left lane of Route 8 South near Exit 25 in Beacon Falls Nov. 26 when the driver, 54-year-old Wei Sun of New York, lost control of the tractor trailer. The tractor trailer, which is owned by Sw Express Inc. out of New York, crashed through the metal guide rail on the right side of the highway, slid down the embankment and came to an uncontrolled stop partially in the Naugatuck River facing north, according to police.

Members of Beacon Hose Company No. 1 responded to the scene at about 2:45 p.m., according to Beacon Hose Fire Chief Jim Trzaski, who posted information about the incident on the company’s Facebook page.

Emergency responders were unable to make contact with Sun, Trzaski said, and a rope system was assembled to reach the cab of the tractor trailer. Firefighters were able to safely assist Sun to the road using the rope system, Trzaski said.

The Naugatuck Fire Department provided mutual aid, Trzaski said.

Sun was treated on the scene for minor injuries, police said.

About 600 feet of the guide rail was damaged, police said. Sun was cited for driving too fast for conditions and failure to drive in proper lane.

The accident closed part of the highway. Firefighters remained on the scene for six hours, Trzaski said, as the tractor trailer was towed off the embankment.

While firefighters were at the scene of the accident, Trzaski said, there was a report of a structure fire on Main Street. An overheated electrical outlet scorched a wall, he said, and it was contained by firefighters before it could spread.