Catastrophe averted in accident

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Alvin Reiner

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July 2, 2009

By ALVIN REINER The Press Republican Thu Jul 02, 2009, 11:30 PM EDT

ELIZABETHTOWN — As Chris Huchro drove his tandem truck down the steep, serpentine incline of Lincoln Pond Road toward the intersection with Route 9N on Thursday, his brakes overheated and gave out.

The roads converge on a 90-degree turn of Route 9.

Knowing this and the possibility that oncoming cars might not see him, Huchro, 33, of Moriah applied his horn.

There are reports that a motorist heading south with a child in the vehicle heard the horn, saw the truck and was able to pull over in time.

The truck careened off guard rails on the right side of the road, dumping much of its load of dirt and rocks, and then skidded about 150 feet before flipping into the oncoming lane.

Investigating State Police Officer D.L. Ross praised Huchro for his quick thinking.

"I applaud him for being willing to put the vehicle into the (Boquet) river rather than hit someone. He had the most noble of intentions."

"I did what I needed to do and hit the air horn to let people know I was coming," Huchro said. "I could never sleep if I had hit a vehicle, especially one with kids."

Huchro is the father of three children age 5 and younger.

He was treated for abrasions on his forearm.

New guard rails were installed near the bridge a week ago, which most likely kept the truck on the road.

There was one lane of traffic on 9N from around 11 a.m., when the accident happened, to 1:30 p.m.

No citations are pending, police said.

E-mail Alvin Reiner at: rondackrambler@yahoo.com