Unusual Recoveries

**d2dave** · 6th September 2011, 10:02 PM

I have been involved in a couple of unusual recoveries the last two weeks.

First up I get a phone call from my son who is bogged on a front lawn in Melbourne.

I know from this photo it does not look too serious but what happened is this. The night before when he got bogged some one tried to tow him out. It started to pull the car sideways towards the brick pillar. In the process it has pulled the car over the water meter. The meter is in front of the RHR wheel and very close to the LHF mudguard is the garden tap about 900mm high.

A four hour return trip to rescue him. The things we do for our kids.

The second recovery. I had a CFA fire truck go past my place with lights and sirens blaring. I had a look and could see smoke only about a kay down the road so I jumped into the Disco to go and have caption cook.(rubber neck)

When I got there it was just a grass fire. The fire truck was pulled up a long way from the fire which I thought might be because the breeze was blowing towards them and did not want to risk the truck getting burnt.

I drove down the road to have a closer look, just a grass fire, no big deal so I turned around and headed home. As I was getting close to where the truck had stopped I saw what I first thought was the crew getting their gear ready.

As I got close it turned out they did not have the hoses out, they had shovels instead.

They were bogged.

I was not going to even offer a snatch. Truck probably weighted 8 tons so I went and saw one of my neighbours who has tractors and we pulled out the fire truck. I wish I had have had my camera as it would have made a good story (and embarrassment for fire crew) for our local paper.

Dave.

Treads · 6th September 2011, 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Whippy

I wish I had have had my camera as it would have made a good story (and embarrassment for fire crew) for our local paper.

Nothing new there

And certainly no embarrassment! Unlike many onlookers, they show up to protect the community 24/7, risking their lives out of sheer goodwill

With all the rain and grass growth over the past 12 months it's no surprise they got bogged. After the many severe frosts, the grass is long and 100% cured, leading to many, many calls. Almost every grass fire that we've had recently resulted in at least one bogged truck. At one fire last month 8 out of the 10 trucks ended up needing recovery - even some light strikers.

Since then we've been activating aviation support for any running grass fires

Tonight I took a 000 call to an unknown type fire and turned out a pumper, a heavy tanker and a command vehicle (normal turnout) + an additional 2 strikers - not only because I'm very aware of the risks of not sending enough resources; but also because lately only strikers can get to any fires on open ground. The heavies simply don't dare drive off formed tracks at the moment

**woody** · 7th September 2011, 04:53 AM

It's shaping up to be another big year, with plenty of fuel around and wet ground hampering prescribed burn offs.
Let's hope that we have enough small fires to prevent the big one's.

Think smart about fire and stay safe

**Barney2803** · 7th September 2011, 05:13 PM

speaking of embarrassing, this is cool! I just wish I was there with a snatch strap to do some rescuing and cackling!

Like a pig in mud police - Google Search

**Hymie** · 7th September 2011, 07:05 PM

My last decent Recovery task, last year.

**newhue** · 10th September 2011, 04:09 AM

Originally Posted by Hymie

My last decent Recovery task, last year.

I know it's a roll over, but what's going on there. I can see he has braked hard, and before a speed bump, but on flat straight road???

**SuperMono** · 10th September 2011, 07:09 AM

The fire truck story reminds me of a 'recovery' a few years back.
I was in the Freebie and came across a CFA tanker obviously bogged just off the highway. Various vehicles driving past without offering any assistance.
Stopped and offered to have a go with the Freebie then noticed something about the truck.
'Have you tried putting it in 4WD?'
Much laughter after that, simplest recovery ever, only a red faced driver and lever selection needed to restore motion.

**d2dave** · 10th September 2011, 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by newhue

I know it's a roll over, but what's going on there. I can see he has braked hard, and before a speed bump, but on flat straight road???

Good observation.

Dave.

**Hymie** · 10th September 2011, 06:04 PM

The Bren Carrier was being driven onto a low loader with a wet deck and it went off the side.

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