Oct. 20--Two men were hurt at about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday when a large truck belonging to the Texas Department of Transportation and a tractor-trailer rig hauling sand collided on U.S. 287 in far north Fort Worth.

The tractor-trailer was demolished as it hit the back of the TxDOT truck, then skidded onto its side at an off ramp near the intersection of U.S. 287 and West Bonds Ranch Road.

The driver of the big rig, whose name was not immediately available, was pulled from the wreckage by a motorist who witnessed the wreck.

Both truck drivers were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, a MedStar spokesman said. Police were still investigating the wreck Tuesday afternoon, but traffic was moving on both sides of the highway.

Val Lopez, TxDOT spokesman, said the agency's truck was the last vehicle in a convoy sent to repair potholes on U.S. 287. The truck was mounted with a special "buffer" device that was designed to protect the rest of the convoy by absorbing the impact of any collision, Lopez said.

"And," he added, "that's exactly what happened."

The rescuer, Kevin Gamble, 31, of Haslet, witnessed the wreck and gave a statement to police, Fort Worth police Cpl. Chip Gillette said.

Gamble said he had just left his nearby home when he saw the TxDOT truck pull in front of the southbound tractor-trailer.

"I slammed on my brakes immediately because I knew it wasn't fixing to be good," Gamble said.

The two trucks collided and then the tractor-trailer hit the exit ramp on its side.

"Diesel fuel was everywhere," Gamble said. "I mean, it was shooting like a geyser."

Gamble said he rushed to help the driver, mindful of the diesel fumes. He did not think they would ignite but, he added, "crazier things have happened."

The driver was stuck deep inside the wreckage, so Gamble reached him by kicking in a rear window. By that time, other people had pulled over to help, he said.

Gamble was treated at the scene for a cut on his arm, but he was more concerned about his wallet, which had fallen out of his pocket during the rescue.

He said it contained $800 and he was still looking for it an hour later near the wreckage.

"But to me," he said, "when I think, 'OK, 800 bucks or this guy's life … 800 bucks is nothing."

Police were still investigating the wreck at 12:45 p.m. but traffic was moving on both sides of the highway.

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