It was just another sunny day for some of Tempe's bravest as they engaged in a game of pickleball, but their reflexes were put to the test in a sudden and shocking manner. A speeding car careened toward a group of Tempe firefighters, playing the game right outside their fire station, forcing them to dodge out of harm's way. The erratic vehicle, after veiling the outdoor court in danger, slammed into a fire hydrant and plowed into multiple parked vehicles.
"It was just a matter of seconds, really," said Interim Fire Chief Darrell Duty, recounting the harrowing moment. The incident, captured on video by the Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department, shows the firefighters instinctively dashing to safety on March 12 near Baseline Road and McClintock Drive, as reported by FOX 10 Phoenix.
The driver of the vehicle, who was later found to have suffered a medical crisis, was promptly attended to by the same crew he had nearly harmed. Shifting gears from their interrupted leisure, the four Tempe Station No. 3 firefighters sprang into action, securing the scene and administering medical aid. "The firefighters went from running for their lives, to running to help the driver," Duty added, highlighting their professionalism amid the chaos.
Thanks to the timely intervention, no firefighters were injured in the incident, and the driver received necessary medical treatment. As Tempe Police investigators delved into the case, it became clear that the driver's medical distress was the impetus behind the uncontrollable trajectory of his vehicle. The team's rapid response exemplifies the very essence of their duty, which is, as Interim Chief Duty put it in a statement obtained by 12 News, "running for their lives to running to help the driver."
