That's where it begins in the south bound lanes.

Tore the car up pretty good...but THAT's just the beginning... Then the truck crosses back over 4 lanes, entering a parking lot of a local repair facility hitting 6 other vehicles...and crashes through the north side of the building!

One of the cars, an Infinity G35 gets stuck in the left front tire of the truck and becomes a "plow" of sorts - as it's used as a battering ram through the wall. Once it enters, it strikes their F650 Rollback, pushing it in to a car up front and making the bed hit a Jeep Wrangler, knocking it off of an in ground lift!

A lot of destruction inside & out...There was all sorts of equipment, electronics and shop tools along the wall which were smashed & strew everywhere.

The white Toyota got sent in to the wall...the "clear" spot in the lot is where the Infinity was parked...the Astro van was smashed in to a Ford Fusion which pushed in to a BMW...

The fuel tank punctured and emptied all over the ground & shop floor. All of the cars were moved out of the way for room & staging while the Team moved debris away from the truck inside and dealt with the spill. We started to pull the truck back out but it was hung tight on the Infinity which was going to cause more damage to the wall if extracted together...

First we tried to just pull the truck out of the floor boards of the car using the side puller on the rollback. The whole mess just came side ways and wouldn't separate. 

Next we got the 12 ton backed in to the garage and figured we would lift the front of the truck up & out of the car. Unfortunately once we started lifting, the roof of the truck was touching the ceiling of the building and restricted the vertical lift. So we ran a second line to a snatch Block hooked to the chassis of the rollback in the garage, and back to the Infinity. Once the pressure was taken off the trucks steer tire, the car was able to be winched out from under it.

Once detached, the truck was extricated the rest of the way & removed from the building...

Towed the Infinity...or what was left of it outside so we could bring the roll-off can in to the garage for clean up...

The guys brought up the Skid Steer with a bucket and the Power Broom to clean up the mess. The Mini Excavator was used for debris clean up & loading the roll-off can we brought in.

We allowed the driver to take the cargo (bread truck) which they loaded in to another van. Once everything was sorted out, the equipment was loaded up and everyone headed back to the shop.

All in all, it went pretty good. Lots of destruction and we feel so bad for the shop. The fortunate thing was nobody was seriously hurt. The shop owner was getting his morning coffee at the fuel stop when his alarm system alerted his phone that it detected "Movement" which was an understatement... An hour later and the shop would of been filled with mechanics working on cars...and could of been a much more catastrophic scene then it was.

Kind of a "PITA" using 4 lines to control it. They get nose heavy so I need to run a 3rd leg up to keep it balanced...

Normally we lift the cab on a 2 Post lift but it's difficult with a regular cab...

Eddie knocked a couple bucks off the price since we didn't have to go anywhere and I was happy that the truck stayed clean....

Well the Truck Driver found another load coming north and apparently unloaded his trailer/machine combo and then reloaded it to accommodate the other piece. He flipped on them and made them pay the unload invoice since they created this problem...

The driver didn't "Habla" very well and wasn't much help but all I needed him to do was pull ahead after I lifted it off...

Then I went in the building because...well it was 12 deg out...to write the bill and get paid. The driver got "antsy" and decided to flip a U turn on the hill in the parking lot trying to get out around me. When I cam out, he about had the trailer ready to roll over...I wish I got a picture of the left side... but honestly I wanted to get my truck out of there before he did something stupid...

It was a busy day so on to the next...

We decided to remove the hydraulic plow box off of the front to make it easier for transport. This was lifted off and set to the side with the companies other attachments...

My girls got some stick....

Then we rigged the machine and prepared to set it on the Rollback...

I was going to load it on the other side but we decided it would be better to have the counter weight towards the cab. I know the machine was like 1500 lbs above the manufacturers rating on the body but it certainly wasn't the heaviest we have done. We were basically just using it for a flat bed and not working the body...plus it was only a 3 or 4 mile tow to the shop...

Rob backed the carrier under it and we secured everything down...

Already gave Rob hell because his truck wasn't clean but what can you do....LoL 

1st day out of the box unloading a new dump body for a customer refurbish projects...

My grandson removing the old body from a Superduty and setting it on his rollback to haul to scrap...

Removing a cab for an engine swap project in the shop.

Setting the body on the Superduty refurbish. Here I was just practicing bringing the boom in & out, up & down without changing the height of the dump body while using 3-4 operations simultaneously. It helps with remote coordination.  So anyway, it's not as stimulating but it also gives me more time to work  and get used to the truck.

The car took out a tree 1st, then hit a Verizon pole and snapped that...and continued in to a large dead tree that fell on top of it.

The RF Suspension exited stage left after the Pole hit...

The set up was a little tricky. I had to stay in the right side of the road which is on a pretty steep hill. The road has a strong crown as well and the right shoulder was an embankment. So my right leg sat up on top, my left leg went over the crown point, and my rear legs were fully extended to level the platform with the right side 6" further then the left due again to the crown. Not a great big deal since we were lifting only a car but getting the truck level is important for the performance of the platform.

1st I lifted the tree off the car and set the base in the road, out of my way.

Again, this car was junk so I just ran a strap through the windows. I didn't have everything with me to set up the spreader bar but honestly I didn't feel it warranted the extra effort.

Up and over...

Set it on a rollback for transport and then went back & put the tree back in to the woods...

All in all, everything went off without a hitch and the truck made short work of the task. Cleaned up the pieces & fluids and we were out of there.

#1 in the books....

Helping out one of our good customers all set ready to go pour concrete.

Finally showed up 6 weeks late...

Nick's new 50 ton NRC they just got a couple weeks ago...

Up, up & away...it beat trying to carry it in to place!

10-30-07

Received a call from Mass State Police for a tt-unit accident RT 24 s. by exit 10, they stated that the trailer was loaded but didn't know how much weight was in it, they needed us to respond with the necessary equipment to recover it from the highway. Upon arrival, we discovered the casualty was partially in the travel lane an it had taken out 130 feet of guardrail and ripped out the tandems on the trailer. First we moved it into the breakdown lane, not having good comunication from the P.D. about the extent of the damage to the rears we didn't bring our dolly an now the traffic was backed up for 5 miles and increasing fast. We knew that it would take at least 1 in a half hrs or more to fight the traffic an return with the dolly so we decided to work it the fastest way and take her apart We cut off the tandems and the landing gear and used the two rotators to set the trailer with 10,000lbs of furniture on our Landoll trailer. This method was used to expedite and leave a lane open. We strapped the box down an loaded the other parts on one of our ramps then towed everything to our Freetown location.

Ed Barker said:

Looks like you handled it very well as always,good choice and plan to get the scene cleared up.Thanks for sharing. Take care, Ed

auto rescue said:

Thank you for the enjoyable treat.

imslookingood said:

Good job fellas.

blue hills towing said:

nice job, I heard that one on the scanner!

beau bach towing said:

I would have brought my dolley out and maybe even my yellow rotator out to play ,the sun was out. Great job men.

nulls towing said:

Nice job, looks like you guys handled it just fine as usual...Just out of curiosity could you have done this

rotator60 said:

Nice work Eric and BWR Team..

Timmy said:

Nice work........Eric, If you had that Jerr-Dan rotator already you could have boomed over the nose and picked the rear of that trailer right up saving you the trouble of having to turn that NRC around

BigWheelRecovery said:

Jared the accident was 300 feet from the exit, no problem in turning around, we were on seen about 40 min. for everything. Also it looks like your asking me if I could lift the trailer an drive away with it, we can but why, bad bussiness move, the equipment is on seen an so are the people you have to use it to get paid for it,this way we handle the unit once. 

Thanks BOB

Ed Barker said:

I was wondering what model and the length on your Landoll????????We are looking at purchasing a bigger one and needed a few suggestions.Take care,Ed

Mcgrathtow said:

Nice job as always by bwr team keep up good work. Mike

Jerrys Road Service said:

Good job.looks like all went as planed great job as always.

Eds Towing said:

Nice work Bigwheel, an impressive show of equipment. I don't have all that equipment so for the last 6 or 7 jobs that I have had like this situation we jacked the axle up, chained it, sometimes removed the tires due to clearance, and brought them home. Being empty or at least light it hasn't been too much of a problem. The fully loaded ones were just a slower ride back. Granted I couldn't charge anywhere near what your recovery would justify but I work with what I have. Seems to be a pretty good time to accomplish all that you did.

BigWheelRecovery said:

Ed, I don't think that trailer was going anywhere with those tandems ripped out that bad, they really was no chance of chaining , besides we're having fun,My advise is take advantage of all these jobs an use them as training tools for your crew,My guys eat this stuff up,I running a stop watch keeping the adreline pumping, the job looks like a ant hill, things happening on all ends at the same time .The P.D. just watches in amazement, now who do you think is going to get the next wreck, my crew or you an your chain binders? Seems like a lot of 411ers are worried about the death of that 92 trailer, well you can buy a 92 trailer for 1,500 all day long ,besides it's a winter home for a few of my hot rods now,O well maybe you guys can see that were just having fun an trying to make the best out of each job. Don't forget the highway is your stage, Thanks again BOB

Eds Towing said:

Bob , Just so were on the same page, I'm not knocking your job. It was impressive to complete that in 40 min. I just don't have quick access to the equipment that you used to perform it in that manner. It probably would of taken near that time to do it my way! The pics looked like the rear axle was intact & strait and being on air I thought it could be brought back on one axle. The only reason I would look about saving the equipment was if it was the only thing left to secure the payment of the job. I agree a 92 dry van isn't worth much. I can appreciate looking impressive on scene. I do think the overall time is the key factor though.
Again nice show of force.

Oh and not for nothing but my "chain binders" are chromed!

Bigtows said:

I was just looking at this and wondered how did you get the loader home? Drive it? If the power unit on the trailer wasn't damaged why not just pick up the back of the trailer,back up the road to the exit,I think I read the exit or was only 300 feet away and get it off the road. and then you could wait for the dolly or work in a safer environment. Every one can sit here and play monday morning quarterback but we weren't there to see what you were up against.

BigWheelRecovery said:

Chromes good;

Eds TOW just a responce to one of your questions,First I never thought you were knocking that job,A lot of times I ad a little humor to my responces for good reason,The rest of this responce is for those who want some free advice, nothing personal so try to reframe from slamming me to badly just what I see in this industry. I think a lot of towers need to lighten up a little on the poster,there just hard working people just like most an proud of there achevement in life,every piece of equipment they own to them is the best, the way they do there recoverys is the ultimate way, an thats the way it's been forever, until tow411 Now they find out that theres a whole new world out there, an it isn't flat after all,we discovered there are other humans that are doing things that we never saw before,an to some it's a hard pill to swollow,we realize we have competers, an there after our customers,what do we do? A hook is a hook can't change that much,so you have to change whats in front of the hook, customer service,like being nice to people that show up for there police tow angry, when they crash they will remember the nice fokes at your shop an request you, making sure your crew has clean uniforms, an there clean in appearance, you should see some of the derilicks that come to our shop from other tow companys ,they remember me,First I have them jerks shut off there overhead lights, then I commence to point out all the things I see thats screwed up with them an there equipment, then they get there car,look at your drivers ,would you let your wife an young daughters take a ride off the highway to your house with them? If he;s a bum fire him, remember every tow company in the world operates with out him, If you plan on staying in the game make sure you get your guys trained an certified you will be required to do that in the near future. Make sure your trucks are clean in side an out, an the paint looks decent, they don't have to be new just project that you have pride in your bussiness,also make sure the office looks clean an professional, I can't tell you how many real dumps we go to for pick ups.An today smoking is very offencive to many people, so install No Smoking signs an make sure your people with that bad habit don't smoke in your bussiness or in your tow trucks,they dirty the place up anyway,an smokers are dangerous, no one ever works for us that smokes,my view they will kill your customer base,,Many will disagree, thats OK but I;m right on this one .Any way those are a few basic points that I Feel from going to different shops an tow yards that give this trade a black eye an a bad image, if you agree say so, if you don't I can't see how your going to justify your view but we'll lissen. BOB

I was just looking at this and wondered how did you get the loader home? Drive it? If the power unit on the trailer wasn't damaged why not just pick up the back of the trailer,back up the road to the exit,I think I read the exit or was only 300 feet away and get it off the road. and then you could wait for the dolly or work in a safer environment. Every one can sit here and play monday morning quarterback but we weren't there to see what you were up against.

hiwayjanitor aid:

old school new school well bob well put i have had the pleasure of being in an around this towing industry for many years and you an your crew have always conducted your selves in the most professional manner you have started old school but were won of the smart ones to advance with our technolgy.I KNOW FIRST HAND how demanding it can be working these truck wrecks.let me guess the call came in big wheel state police here truck acc at bla bla location go ! WHEN RESPONDING to these type off calls you bring what you feel will do the job safely and quickly.thats why you continue getting these calls . there is always somewhere in this flat WORLD that people will slam others i dont get it! Let these people put every thing on the line like you have.thats why your tool box looks like it does from years of experience keep up the great posts enjoy viewing them . AND ALWAYS REMEMBER WE ARE AS GOOD AS OUR LAST JOB!!!!!!! michael

Beau Bach Towing said:

Another great job ,got all the money and a thank you,and best of all a storage box for some bad a-- toys. BEAU ps Try vinyl on the doors next time ,i had to paint the doors over on the cab .

Littleriehi said:

from the pics provided, was the rear axle still tracking straight? I noticed one flat tire, but that could be replaced with one tire from the frt. left side axle. Chain up other axle, or torch it off like everything else was. Just asking...

BigWheelRecovery said:

Littleriehi what pictures are you looking at,can't be on this post,those axles are just about touching, the entire super structure is bent that trailer isn't going anywhere together. thanks BOB

Jerrys Road Service said:

Dam Bob i was with you all the way till the wheels fall off.Until the smoking, i smoke as well as most of my drivers But we don't smoke in the trucks and we have a designated smoking area in the drivers room no smoking in office or truck we have never had a complaint or any diragotory remark made abought it..And in California if i made the "no one ever works for us that smokes" remark its discrimination you cant say i would or wouldn't hire some one for anything this state is a million % liberal you get sued for coughing in public

BigWheelRecovery said:

Jerry my point exactly, your almost there, no one smokes in Your equipment an office, thats why no complaints from the public,First of all I figured that some people were going to get up set I've been hammered before an its OK this is only my view point,thats why this site works so well these are things that we see every day but don't say anything about ,After visiting many tow companys in the past 30 years I think that it's about time someone said something.Most of them need to improve there image. I think that people live this day in an out an don't notice it until some one comes in an says something, so I'm the bad guy today but it's time that it was said. I 'm well aware that a lot of towers smoke, I just don't understand why there trying to kill them selfs an everyone they work with, your right in your point of view it's a free country,but is it OK to make the girls breath all that Second Hand smoke that work in the office's of many other tow companys?Most are scared for there jobs so they don't dare tell the boss an his boys that the smoke offends them,I've been in many tow companys to pick up cars an seen these offices, the walls all brownish yellow, ceiling the same, paper cups full of cigerette butts, astrays over full an to be honest most of the people had the same personal projection as the office.I'd kill my self if I had to work there, Jerry as far as hiring people we have experenced 4 major fires at this location including burning the entire 150 foot steel building to the ground,2 by sparks 2 by discarded cigarettes in the rear yard of the shop ,burning trucks an equipment just to give a little insite,Anyway pretty basic I don't ask if they smoke I can smell it on there cloths or there fingers are all brown, I don't care if there wreckmaster 10 or 11 an the best driver in the world thank you then in the trash, smokers will unconciously light up, I just can't take the chance, buildings cost to much an I know first hand, also there out sick a lot more than none smokers,an always on the day you really need there help,mayby they just need to think about what there doing to them selfs an the people around them. another reason I mention this is because I've been involved in Dana Faber cancer institute, saw hundreds of really sick an terminally ill kids, our group collected 1000's of dollars for research, but till you go there you really don't get the picture , anyway enough of that,Jerry an everyone else if I offended you on this forum with my view point I appolize, just want you guys to look around thats all,I might not be back for a while until I heal up from the bruzing I'm going to get from all the smokers but get well soon cards from the none smokers will be appreciated. thanks again BOB

CarStoreTowing said:

Good for you Bob,
We went Smoke free in our Lake County Location 13 years ago. Still can't get my brother running the Orange County Location on the same page. Drivers will Light a cig on an acident scene without even realising what they are doing. Thats when I lose my temper. We almost had a disaster at our salvage yard 14 years ago when a lit cig set a pile of crushed cars off. I took the loader and pulled the burning cars out of the pile before 500 cars went up in smoke. What an EPA nightmare that would have been. only took a couple of months for my eyelashes to grow back. Also to all the Non Smokers out there, don't you love the smell of tobaco you get when a smoker talks on the dispatch phones.
I Hope to not to offend anybody, Just my views. (lost my mom, and father in law to lung cancer, they where both heavy smokers)

BigWheelRecovery said:

Ed sorry a didn't get back to you right away,our landoll is a 660 in that picture. It's 50,102 we also have a 317 thats mostly used on long hauls,we like the lower loading angle on the 660 better for accidents you don't have to get the deck as high when loading or unloading. Eric was looking at Landoll's in Baltimore this time so we'll see, maybe . Thanks again, BOB you can call myself or Eric anytime for that info

jacksmelbourne said:

If you complain cuz you dont have the toys then get out of the sandbox ! Excellent job bigwheel and Im glad there is other people that care about the health and well being of their employees.

cbdancer said:

well i just have 2 questions for the moment
1st is the torch mounted in the wrecker??
2nd how high is the trailer on the flatbed
our turnpike is max height 14.1 and never have tried it
by the way nice job got to love hose yellow trucks
George

BigWheelRecovery said:

George we have torches ,air compressor an a generator mounted on our rotators, this is stuff you need when things get ugly, anyway the box when on the landoll is only around 12.6, the landoll is at 38"hope that answers your question.thanks BOB

cbdancer said:

Thanks bob
i have an array of cutting tools but most are air tools
i am thinking of putting a generator what wattage do
you guys use (i know the bigger the better but with
a limited budget from opening the doors 2 1/2 months
ago) for the time being it would be used for extra lighting
and more power tools and would eventually go in the
recovery trailer i am building what is a good min-max for
the wattage
George

FMSMIKE said:

Big Wheels Generator and Cord Reels on Their Newer Century Rotator.

cbdancer said:

ill remember to ask for an extra $10,000 on my next truck loan
wow very nice setup
George

TowBoY88 said:

Quick connects are very, very nice. Have them on the service truck.

BigWheelRecovery said:

We had quick disconnect and had problems a few times with them ,this only takes a minute to conect anyway ,thanks Mike for posting the pictures I hope you enjoyed your visit, come again anytime . thanks Eric

git r towed said:

Bob I think you done an excellent job. We would have done it almost the same way. Your pictures show it all. Thanks for sharing............John....Rock City Garage

BigWheelRecovery said:

John thanks for the kind reply,I read your profile an you really have a lot of years an training in this trade,so my question to you is having the same equipment avaliable to you an knowing the situation can you tell me if anything what you would have done differently, As you see we thrive on learning new methods an always when the situation arises we will test them,if they suit us we well institute them in our company training program. You stated that you would have done that recovery almost the same way; that was an interesting reply, an for a week it's got me anolizing that seen ,I know that there is a lot of ways to skin a cat I also know that a lot of libral tower don't agree with the methods we use sometimes , thats OK we get paid an thats what were all here for,also many tow operators have been using some methods they saw us use an have improved there bottom line a little, some have called us an said that it works an thanks, thats nice, some have critized,there still worried about the pore insurance companys,some how I missed that point but I'm working on it, anyway John thanks again, looking forward to your reply also if others have an interesting answer then maybe they would like to share it to. Thanks BOB

FLCOWBOYINIRAQ said:

bob i think you handled this in the best mannor you could. i know from seeing all your previous post that if you would have known you would have had the dollies out there. awsome show on using what you have on scene.

carstore i guess you never heard of webbs towing or johnsons towing. i do not know what customers ask you that but rest assure steve webb has some of the nicest fully equiped trucks and all other equipment to respond to any situation to include roll off cans. same for johnsons towing. not to mention steve webbs awd 60 ton and awd 75 ton rotators. we work the same area you do too

bob having your bottles laying down does that create a problem when you need to use them? do you use them laying down or do you stand them up? on our old 8808 steve webb cut two holes to tight fit around them tom keep them upright. i was just wonder so i can use that info later on. because torches can be your best friend in this trade.

thanks
john fenshaw
lakeland fl
tikrit iraq

xcessiveforce52 said:

I think you guys have always done a professional job and this job was also handled very professionally. Your equipment "ALWAYS" looks good and is top notch. Keep up the good work and stay safe out there.

BigWheelRecovery said:

John our bottles are always in that position we have had them that way for 20 years an no problems; yet I know that they say there suspose to be upright but we've been known to be somewhat different at times, so far so good. thanks again BOB

tator envy said:

Bob, are those propane torches or acytelene? I know the propane can run on its side.

BigWheelRecovery said:

Tator E. those are acytelene,most of your burning on the side of the road is usally very limited so your not going to use a lot of gas anyway. thanks again BOB

git r towed said:

I don't think you need any more comments. I think you done an excellent job. I would have done it the same under the circumstances, Thanks for the very nice pictures. .....................John, Rock City Garage

Added Reply:

Bob you ask what would I do differently, knowing your experience and the circumstances, probally nothing. In this business I don't like to play monday morning quarterback if I wasn't on the scene, it's not fair to you or anyone else. It's a lot different when you're on the scene and know exactly what's going on. The biggest problem today is lack of communication from the caller or THP, etc; so you know what equipment to bring to the scene as soon as possible. We have the same problem here as soon as we arrive on the scene they want to know how long it's going to take to open up the interstate. Recently I received a call from THP they needed my big wrecker as soon as possible. Traffic was backed up for miles, after driving 23 miles from the shop to the scene I found a trailer laying across the interstate with the slider knocked out from under the trailer. I immediately started winching the trailer off the bridge and called for my dolly to be delivered by a rollback. When I finally got the trailer off the bridge and one lane opened up, the dolly arrived and the trailer was removed. Another time I had no choice but to use my Landoll. We are living in a new society. Everyones living at a faster pace, they want it done now. In order to do it now we have to do things differently and with more and larger equipment, not like the old school. We need more training be open minded and advance with the times.I don,t let someone tell me how I should have done it, if they weren't there. Unless I done something drastically wrong.Keep on taking those beautiful pictures, they're worth more than a thousand words to anyone that wasn't there, such as Insurance companies, owners, etc: I would sure like to stop in and see you if I get in your area and see your equipment. What would I do different, probably nothing.... Thanks ,...John... Rock City Garage

BigWheelRecovery said:

John thanks for taking the time to respond,I asked you that question because you have been into HD recoverys for a while same as us, knowing time is your best teacher ,we felt you were more than qualified to ad some credibility or offer another solution to what we had to do on this recovery with the start up info we had to work with. Thanks again for your input, BOB

Did this job the other night the tanker tried to avoid a car on the wrong side of the road he was empty i think if he was loaded he would have ended down the embankment in the river beyond the trees.Sorry no action shot but i had a problem with the sidewinder winch on our volvo. We liftted the front end out with the tator and pulled the rear end out at the same time with the sidewinder.

Jordan Coupland Said:

nice job well done thanks for sharing

WheelLiftWarrior said:

nice recovery thanks for the pics

Rotator60 said:

Good job..Thanks for sharing..

Rich said:

good old milk boys keep you busy like us, another good job done, lets hope they give you more work next year have a good one.

Thats Going To Leave A Mark!

Lifting Fully Loaded Carrot Trailer With Broken Axle

or watch it here too LIVE CAM

Youtube live

Fox 9

Bills Towing and Auto Repair Windsor, Lodi, Middleton and Wisconsin Dells. Remember One Call Does It All. 608-592-7364. Fantastic Employees working together tonight words can not express. A Big Thank you to All !! It takes team work and it showed tonight.

60,000lb in a 20' container rollover!

Crashed daddy's new $70,000 BMW 440i down a hill!

Called our friends Milewski's to send a Tator as soon as we heard the situation. While we waited, we started to work on the environmental aspect of the situation...

It happened sometime in the night & Hunters found it in the 1st light...truck was cold & nobody around. Penske had it listed as stolen since it was supposed to be a 1 day rental...8 days ago...

Reinforcements!...Mike's son Nick came down to help us with the job. I was concerned that there were some large jagged rocks that would of sliced that truck to pieces if I drug it up the embankment...and we didn't need to add to the environmental issues at all. The truck was brand new as well, 1800 miles when it was rented.

A little tricky to get rigging under it but it worked out...

Then it was just up, up & away...

The County Emergency Management contacted their Contract Hazmat company to do the spill work so they will finish it up...

We brought equipment to handle the whole job but it is what it is...

Hooked it and back to the shop...

Towed it to Reading PA yesterday to their Body Shop.

Driver Rolls Over in Semi with 40,000lb of Pepper!

Incredible Rescue - Car Crashes 250' Off Bridge!

No Space, No Problem! Container Rollover Uprighted in Midair

Trash Trailer Rollover - 2 Rotator Heavy Rescue

Tractor Trailer Rollover Accident - Uprighted in Mid-Air

Too Fast? Container Rollover Recovery With Rotators

We received a call from our good customer to upright and tow a powder cement tractor trailer that was in a fatal accident about 65 miles from our shop. We responded with a 60T Rotator, and a 9055. Upon arrival we learned a 15yr old on only a driving permit 2 weeks pulled out in front of the loaded truck. The boy was airlifted to the hospital, but sadly his mother did not make it.

The tractor and lead had rollover and the pup was still upright, the hitch severely bound and twisted. We hammered the pin out and winched the pup away so we could go to work on the tractor and lead. We positioned the rotator to do a top lift and catch and the 9055 to the tractor front axle and a down pull on the trailer. It had 57K of material and the T/T weighed about 33K, so we were up-righting about 90K lb.

Once up-righted, we winched it backward and towed to their shop.

Eric said:

Looks like a job well done. I do have one question though. We don't see a lot of those trailers, why did you use a chain on the tanker instead of a strap? Already damaged to even worry about it? Not bashing at all I think it was well done just a question.

Todd Pell Replied:

Thanks for the question Eric,

We elected to use grade 100 chains because of the weight of the unit and the sharp edges and ridges. There is a step/platform that ran the length of the tank. We didn't want to cut or ruin any straps, the bottom side was severely damaged already, chains were easier to rig and we thought the safer option overall. We used a strap as a control because the top of the tank (drivers side) wasn't damaged.

BigWheelRecovery said:

TOP NOTCH JOB VERY NICE CAN,T BEAT THAT TATER THE DRAG WINCH IS A MUST HAVE .THANKS ERIC

Claytons Towing:

Well done, neat recovery, good pics......Mike

blue hills towing:

nice job,trucks look very nice also

Kim Inman said:

Nice job! Well thought out. Those are very heavy & awkward to deal with.

In Memory of Scooby who said:

looks good

TowBoy88 said:

Looks good Merl crew. Nice job.

Jerrys Road Service said:

Very Nice job.i like the help from drag winch

In Memory of lasvegastowpro who said:

Great job Excellent use of your drag winch as a catch line, nice and easy roll-over

shtowing said:

Sad to hear about the mom did the boy pull completely through

Bighook18 aka Todd Pell said:

Brise, the boy was going to be in surgery all night from what I was told. At the time of the accident his outlook was grim. I haven't heard otherwise, so I am sure he is still hanging in there. I hope for the best for him.

hookmastrer said:

Nice recovery and no sense chancing a strap on the down side for sure . That 3rd winch sure comes in handy !

wreckerman05 said:

that was a excellent recovery--of course that some nice equipment also--that was alot of weight to deal with,lucky the rear unit stayed on its wheels

auto rescue said:

It's amazing what damage a car can reap upon a semi.

Thank you for the pictures.

Mini container rollover in SMALL apartment complex