Firefighter/EMT Jeremy Tighe, 18, of McCutchanville VFD, Evansville, Indiana, on February 22, 2012, died of fatal injuries he sustained last evening. The tragic incident occurred after the engine company apparatus Jeremy was riding in, as a passenger, was involved in a single apparatus accident that overturned and crash violently, striking a utility pole while traveling north on St. Joseph Avenue.
24 year-old Brandon Cason of Evansville VFD, the driver of the vehicle, was taken to Deaconess Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. It has been reported he has since been released.
The engine company vehicle 18-year-old firefighter Tighe was riding in was returning from a emergency response for a reported carbon monoxide activation. The fire engine rige was reported available for service after thie CO2 response call at 8:10 p.m., the fire apparatus accident happen at 8:30 p.m..
McCuthanville Fire Department PIO Lt. Steve Gibson said "They were returning from a run when for some unknown reason their truck went off the side of the pavement."
Our condolences to all affected by this tragedy.
To date, 12 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2012. Year-to-date USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page.
(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)