Terrible Crash on I-75 Results in Fatality BRADLEY COUNTY, TENN – At 1:30 PM today, Sunday, July 01, 2007, the Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department responded to a reported accident with entrapment and fire near the 14 mile marker on Interstate 75 northbound.   Responding apparatus met extremely heavy traffic backed up on the Interstate and had a difficult time reaching the accident scene.  The first Chief on scene confirmed an accident between a large RV and a tractor trailer combination.  He also confirmed fire and entrapment.  Firefighters on Engine 1244 arrived and immediately began to pour water on the fire and attempted to rescue anyone trapped.  Some firefighters laddered the driver’s side of the RV and began cutting open the side with saws while others attempted entry from the passenger side.  Command also requested mutual aid from Highway 58 fire department in the form of a tanker.  Mutual aid was also requested from Bradley County Fire Rescue.  It was also quickly determined that the accident actually occurred approximately 200 yards inside Bradley County.  They responded several engines and tankers to the scene.   The RV, which was towing a passenger car, had run into the rear end of the trailer and imbedded itself several feet inside the trailer.  Both the RV and the rear end of the trailer were heavily involved in fire.   Firefighters were also aware of the propane tank inside the recreational vehicle and had to work to secure it.   The front end of the RV was totally destroyed by fire and was so demolished and stuck inside the trailer that firefighters were unable to rescue anyone inside of the RV.  Once the fire was extinguished firefighters were able to locate the body of one individual inside the recreational vehicle.  At this point it is not believed that anyone else was inside but the vehicle will have to be taken to the coroner’s office for inspection and to confirm that no one else was inside. Interstate 75 northbound was closed at the 11 mile marker for over five hours as fire crews and investigators worked at the scene.  The investigation into the cause of the accident is being handled by the Tennessee Highway Patrol.  Law enforcement from Bradley County was on the scene assisting as was the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department.  The Chattanooga Police Department and the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Help trucks also assisted with traffic.  Traffic was backed up northbound for several miles and southbound traffic was also snarled with onlookers for over four miles.  Hamilton County EMS was on the scene.  With temperatures soaring into the 90’s, the Chattanooga Hamilton County Rescue Squad provided much needed rehab for firefighters and law enforcement officers.  The occupants of the tractor trailer were not physically hurt but were obviously shaken.