The Firefighter who died in the Line of Duty early this morning in a crash on the way to a fire, has been identified.
21-year-old Gore Volunteer Fire & Rescue (Frederick County) FF Zachary Whitacre died after being taken to Winchester Medical Center. Chief Dennis Linaburg says a tanker that hauls two people, was involved in that single vehicle accident.
Whitacre had been a firefighter with Gore Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department for about a year.
The crash happened on Route 50 West just over the West Virginia line as the pair was heading to Capon Bridge to pick up water before responding to a reported structure fire in Hampshire County.
Making this horrible Line of Duty Death even more tragic is that the driver of the tanker was Donald Whitacre, Zachary’s father. He was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
The Gore Fire & Rescue station has been placed out of service and is being staffed by firefighters from Winchester.
Chief Linaburg understandably described it as one of the saddest moments in Frederick County’s history. Our heartfelt condolences to the Whitacre Family, The Gore VFRC, Frederick County Fire Rescue and all those affected. RIP.
