One firefighter was killed and another injured when an Abingdon Fire Department vehicle crashed on Thursday.
The crash happened around 5:30 p.m. when the vehicle was responding to a fire alarm call, according to the Virginia State Police (VSP).
State police said the fire truck was traveling south on Vance’s Mill Road when it dropped off the right side of the road, overturned, struck a utility pole and then slid down an embankment on its side.
The passenger, identified by VSP as Cameron Craig, 20, of Saltville, Va., was thrown from the vehicle and died at the scene, police report.
The driver of the truck was taken to Bristol Regional Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries, according to VSP. He was released Thursday night.
Both Craig and the driver were wearing seatbelts, VSP reported.
From the Town of Abingdon, VA:
It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of one of our Abingdon Fire Department Firefighters.
On Thursday, October 19th at 5:23pm members of the Abingdon Fire Department were responding to a call in the Green Springs area of Washington County when the fire apparatus crashed in the 2100 block of Vances Mill Road outside of Abingdon.
Firefighter Cameron Bentley Craig, 20, with the Abingdon Fire Department, was killed in the crash. Firefighter Craig has been a firefighter with the Department for the past year and a half.
“On behalf of the Town of Abingdon, we would like to express our deepest sympathies to the family of Firefighter Cameron Craig. He was a dedicated member of the Abingdon Fire Department family and will be missed,” Amanda Pillion, Town of Abingdon Mayor said.
The Virginia State Police is investigating the crash.
Service arrangements are pending.
We would like to express our condolences to the Craig family. Our love and prayers continue to be with you during this difficult time. We also thank the community for the outpouring of support and love that has been shown to the Abingdon Fire Department and the Craig family.