Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, May 14, 1990 TAG: 9005140283
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A5 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: MIKE HUDSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The 305-pound trucker was pinned inside for more than hour before rescuers could pry him out.
Bobby Robbins, 36, a driver with Hart's Transportation of Collierville, Tenn., was conscious throughout the rescue attempt. His injuries did not appear to be life threatening.
At least one diesel fuel tank on the tractor-trailer burst, spewing fuel 50-60 yards from the highway to the bottom of the embankment.
Floyd Clem, a fellow driver with Hart's who was following Robbins in his own rig, said Robbins was hauling 7,000-15,000 pounds of bedroom furniture to New Jersey.
Clem and Robbins left suburban Memphis Saturday morning, stayed overnight in East Tennessee and were headed north on I-81 when the accident occurred about 10:30 p.m. between Exits 41 and 42.
Clem said Robbins' front right tire blew and the rig jerked to the right. Robbins tried to compensate by turning his wheel to the left, but hit the guardrail and plunged into the thicket.
Clem said he could tell by watching the lights on Robbins' truck that it stayed upright until it hit the bottom of the gulch. "He brought it in there right," Clem said.
The front of Robbins' 1989 International Harvester snapped a tree that was nearly 2 feet thick and came to a stop against a forked pine.
The impact turned the hood of the truck down into Robbins and pinned him behind the steering wheel.
Roanoke County firefighters and rescue workers used chains and winches to pry the steering wheel forward. Robbins was talking throughout.
Clem said he believed Robbins' seat belt saved his life.
Just before 1 a.m., rescuers were able to create a large enough opening to slide Robbins from the cab. He was loaded into an ambulance and taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
by CNB