Report: Firefighters faulted for running over woman

By Tiffany Gibson

Published Thursday, April 29, 2010 | 6:04 p.m.

Updated Friday, April 30, 2010 | 5:15 p.m.

Authorities have determined that firefighters were at fault when their fire truck ran over a 77-year-old woman earlier this month in Boulder City.

The incident occurred after Boulder City firefighters responded to a call at 7:30 p.m. April 4 regarding an electric pole fire in the 1500 block of Nevada Highway, according to a police accident report released Thursday. No fire was found but widespread power outages were reported, authorities said.

Boulder City Fire Chief Kevin Nicholson said Friday that firefighters involved in the accident won't face disciplinary action because their job performance was determined to be normal at the time of the collision. The officers weren't placed on administrative leave during the investigation, authorities said.

The fire truck then tried to turn around in a mobile home park to respond to another call, according to the report. The vehicle made a wide right turn and struck railroad ties and a pedestrian, identified as Nyla Proctor.

Proctor, who lives in the area, told officers she was outside because she heard a loud noise. She said she saw the truck coming toward her and began waving her arms.

The report indicated the railroad ties hit Proctor, causing her to fall and be run over by the fire truck.

Firefighters didn't realize they had struck Proctor and continued driving until witnesses flagged them down. Once they realized the woman was injured, firefighters began rendering aid, police said.

Proctor was taken to the Boulder City Municipal Airport, where she was airlifted to University Medical Center with fractures to both her lower legs and tissue damage. She is still hospitalized, the report said.

Henderson Police took over the investigation at the request of Boulder City Police Chief Thomas Finn. Shortly after the accident Finn said an accident report would be released within seven days. The report was sent to the Sun on Thursday, nearly four weeks after the incident.

Investigators determined the fire truck made a wide right turn without having enough space or visibility.

The fire truck sustained minor damage to a passenger's side step.