Equipment Malfunction On Snowplow Truck

While doing snow control work during a storm at about 4:50 pm, Sunday, December 14, a hydraulic control line failed on a large town snowplow truck traveling on Walnut Tree Hill Road, near the lower entrance to Walnut Tree Village.

The failed hydraulic line spewed hydraulic fluid onto the muffler of the truck, which was driven by town road crew member Joe Pratt, causing a smoky fire.

Mr Pratt said he used a fire extinguisher to put out the burning hydraulic fluid on the muffler. Firefighters initially were alerted to the fire, but turned back after learning the fire had been put out. There were no injuries.

The damaged hydraulic line was later replaced to allow thee truck to return to snow control duty, said Public Works Director Fred Hurley.