UPDATE: VIRGINIA FIRE CHIEF & FIREFIGHTER KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY APPARATUS ROLLS OVER IN RESPONDING CRASH NO SEAT BELTS-BOTH VETERAN FIRE OFFICERS TRAGICALLY EJECTED

Rocky Mount Fire Chief (who was also Vice Mayor) Posey Dillon and veteran Firefighter / Ex-Chief Danny Altice were killed in the Line of Duty yesterday while responding on a fire call. The RMVFD was dispatched and responding to a working dwelling fire in nearby Union Hall when a car pulled out into the intersection. The car struck the rear of the fire apparatus, which then hit the curb on the other side of the road and flipped, landing on top of another car. The 2 Firefighters were the only ones on the apparatus.

The engine rolled over several times before landing upside down on a Mustang, which was stopped at the intersection traffic light. Both civilians were treated and released. The traffic light was red for the apparatus and the fire apparatus did a rolling stop as it was going through with lights flashing and sirens sounding. Witnesses are being interviewed and surveillance cameras from nearby businesses are also being examined to piece together exactly what happened. Neither were seat belted according to the police.

Dillon had served on town council for 24 years, including 10 years as vice mayor, and was re-elected vice mayor by council earlier this month. He had been fire chief for 20 years. Altice joined the RMVFD in 1963 and served as Chief from 1977 to 1984. He was presented a lifetime achievement award by town council in 2008.

CRASH SCENE VIDEO HERE: www.wdbj7.com

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