Hawai‘i Fire Department engine damaged after rolling over onto Highway 11 in Ka‘ū

A Hawai‘i Fire Department engine was damaged after rolling over Friday morning, May 15, on Highway 11 in Nīnole.

One person was reported injured.

At least one media outlet and another social media source report Hawai‘i Police Department and Hawai‘i Fire Department continue to investigate the crash that involved Engine 11, which is based at Pāhala Fire Station in Ka‘ū.

Hawai‘i News Now reported that Hawai‘i Police Department said the incident happened shortly after 11 a.m. Friday near mile marker 54 west of Pāhala.

One of the fire engine’s tires apparently blew out, causing the emergency vehicle to lose control, strike a nearby embankment and then roll onto its side.

Social media source reports a fire equipment operator driving the truck was the only person in the vehicle at the time of the crash. The driver was transported by private vehicle to Ka‘ū Hospital in Pāhala before later being transferred to Hilo Benioff Medical Center in serious condition.

Hawai‘i County Civil Defense did report that Big Island police temporarily closed both lanes of Highway 11 in the vicinity of the rollover crash as the emergency vehicle blocked both lanes.

Motorists were asked to use alternate routes until the fire engine could be cleared from the roadway.

No official press releases or public notices were issued following the Friday morning incident, other than the temporary road closure announcement.

Social media source reports a reserve fire engine will be put into service to fill the need while Engine 11 is out of service.