Busy week for Barrow Emergency Services

Barrow County Emergency Services personnel responded to the Oct. 18 crash which left a Winder man dead.

Thomas Ray Knight, 36, was traveling eastbound on Dee Kennedy near Fleeman Road when he lost control of his Pontiac Grand Prix. Engine 5, Med 5, Med 4 and Battalion 1 responded and located Knight’s vehicle off the roadway and into the woods.

On Oct. 16, Engine 7 and Med 7 were called to the scene of a two-car accident at Hwy. 316 and Patrick Mill Road. One patient was transported to a local hospital.

One patient was also transported after an Oct. 20 accident on Hwy. 211 near Barrow Park Drive. Engine 5, Med 5 and Battalion 1 responded.

Later that day, Engines 1 and 6, Med 1 and 6, Battalion 1, chief John Skinner and deputy chief Bryan Bullock responded to the scene of a school bus accident in Statham. Five people were injured in that accident. Four were transported to area hospitals and one was treated at the scene.

Barrow County Emergency Services personnel also responded to a fire, a possible fire and a gas leak during the past week.

On Oct. 15, firefighters responded to a possible structure fire on Summer Lane. Engines 4 and 5, Med 5 and Battalion 1 responded and discovered a fire had been started in a fireplace with the damper not fully opened. Personnel from Engine 4 assisted the residents in clearing smoke from the home.

On Oct. 19, firefighters were dispatched to Coosawilla Lane after a 911 caller reported a woods fire.

Engine 5 responded and found approximately onequarter of an acre burning. The fire, which resulted from a previous control burn on the property, was extinguished.

Firefighters also dealt with a gas leak at an Atlanta Highway location. On Oct. 17, Engine 4 found a gas leak at the rear of a vacant building. Gas levels were found to be within explosive limits. Buford Gas responded and took control of the scene.

In total, Barrow County Emergency Services communication officers fielded 4,829 calls including 1,289 911 calls. Of those, 164 were handled by firefighters and EMTs with the department.