ALEXANDRIA, Va. - On the evening of Tuesday, October 6, 2026, the Alexandria Fire Department (AFD) responded to a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in the 600 block of North Ripley Street. Multiple 911 calls reported that a juvenile had been struck by an SUV.

Engine 208 and Tower 208 arrived to find the juvenile conscious but pinned beneath the vehicle's front axle. With the specialized Rescue Company and its heavy vehicle-extrication equipment still en route, first-arriving crews quickly assessed the scene and developed an alternative plan to free the patient.

Firefighters used ground ladders to create mechanical leverage and lift a substantial portion of the vehicle's weight off the patient. When additional clearance was needed, crews repositioned their approach and deployed a second ground ladder, creating enough space to safely remove the juvenile. The patient was freed in less than six minutes after AFD units arrived on scene.

Emergency medical personnel from Engine 208, EMS 202, and Medic 206 provided on-scene medical care and stabilized the patient before transporting her to a local hospital. She is expected to make a full recovery.

The Alexandria Fire Department credits the positive outcome to the crews' teamwork, quick problem-solving, and ability to adapt under pressure. The incident demonstrates the importance of sound decision-making and coordinated emergency response when specialized equipment is not immediately available.