We regret to advise you that 2 Firefighters
from Heinsberg County in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany have
died as a result from a vehicle crash while responding to a fire call.
The Firefighters from the City of Erkelenz
were responding to a working structure fire when their apparatus struck
oncoming traffic and flipped-see photos below. Sadly the driver of the
struck car was a 19 year old Volunteer firefighter on his way to the firehouse
for the run. He reportedly ran head on into the apparatus on a
curve- and drifted over the center line directly into the path of the
pumper.
Both the driver of the car (a Firefighter) and the driver of the
fire apparatus died on scene, the rest of the crew were severely injured
and airlifted. The car was demolished by the impact and the pumper overturned.
Both drivers were killed immediately and two other firefighters in the engine
were seriously injured. One of them age 39 was flown by helicopter to Aachen in
critical condition. The other, age 30, was transported to Erklenz in serious
condition. Our condolences to all affected. RIP.
NOTE THAT IN August of 2011, the Heinsberg
County F.D. lost another Firefighter in a traffic accident involving a fire
truck.
Thanks to Al J for the heads up and details on this tragic
crash.
REMEMBERING 6 "FORGOTTEN" BOSTON
FIREFIGHTERS
Seventy years ago today, 6 Boston Firefighters lost
their lives in the Line of Duty fighting a restaurant fire in East Boston. The
Luongo Restaurant fire came to be known as the “forgotten fire,” because just
13 days after the tragedy, the Cocoanut Grove Nightclub Fire in Boston claimed
almost 500 lives and became a major national news story.
But today the BFD and the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center
unveiled a granite memorial to the 6 Firefighters in Maverick Square, next to
the site where the fire happened. The memorial features the names and pictures
of the fallen Firefighters. The Firefighters who died on Nov. 15, 1942
were Edward Macomber, John Foley, Peter McMorrow, Francis Degan, Daniel McGuire
and Malachi Reddington...and now will be properly remembered forever. RIP.
