Biographical information
Ages: Williams, 45; Whimple, 19
Cause of Death: Both firefighters were killed in a rollover accident.
Two Firefighters with the Rhodestown Volunteer Fire Department in Jacksonville, N.C., were killed when their fire department tanker was involved in a rollover.
The two firefighters were identified as Billy Harold Williams, 45, and Brandon Whimple, 19. Both firefighters were pronounced dead at the scene.
Firefighter Williams was driving and Firefighter Whimple was the only other member on the rig. One of them was ejected and thrown from the vehicle and the other was pinned under it. Reports say the wheels slipped off the roadway and the driver had over compensated while trying to gain control of the vehicle causing it to drive off the road and roll over. The Department’s Chief was said he didn’t believe either firefighter was seat belted in.
Two killed on way to Saturday blaze
By Jerry Allegood
The News & Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina)
Copyright 2007 The News and Observer
RHODESTOWN, N.C. — Two firefighter helmets — Billy Williams’ No. 10 and Brandon Whimple’s No. 36 — hung Monday over a bay of the Rhodestown Volunteer Fire Department as a memorial to the firefighters who died when their firetruck overturned Saturday on the way to a fire.
Inside, members of the 37-fightfighter department north of Jacksonville in rural Onslow County consoled each other as area residents and other firefighters stopped to offer condolences or assistance. Many from other departments knew Williams, 45, and Whimple, 19, from training sessions, fire calls or community gatherings.
“When we lose someone, it doesn’t matter where they are from,” said Mike Koonce, chaplain with the Jacksonville Fire Department.
Koonce, who was at the Rhodestown station Monday, said Whimple’s father, Richard, is now a paid firefighter in Jacksonville and a volunteer at the rural department. While it was a family for the Whimples, Koonce said, “Billy just loved firefighting.”
State Trooper J.L. January said the two men died about noon Saturday while responding to a call for help on a fire at an unoccupied mobile home in the Nine Mile District of the county. He said Williams was driving the truck on N.C. 111, also known as Catherine Lake Road, and apparently lost control after rounding a curve.
January said the truck crossed the center line, pulled back to the right and went into a skid. The truck flipped, throwing Williams from the cab and partially trapping Whimple. Both died at the scene, January said.
He said the truck was on an emergency trip with its siren on and red lights flashing. It was traveling about 45 to 50 mph, in a 45 mph area he said, which was within regulations for an emergency vehicle.
January said the truck was not overloaded and there was no indication of mechanical defects.
Two other members of the Rhodestown department were in a personal vehicle behind the truck when it wrecked.
Rhodestown volunteer Mike Bird said the incident was upsetting, but he knew Williams and Whimple would want the department to put the tragedy behind it.
“We’ve got a job to do,” he said. “They would want us to keep on.”
A service for Williams is planned at noon today at Bethlehem Baptist Church on Gum Branch Road in Jacksonville. A funeral for Whimple is scheduled at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the church.
Rhodestown Fire Chief Martin Updegraff said he could not speak about the incident or the firefighters because of pending investigations. “It hurts everybody,” he said of the loss.
Updegraff said Williams was a mechanic and enjoyed cars when he was not at the firehouse.
Koonce said volunteers like Williams and Whimple give up their time to help the community.
“It’s not about the lights you put on the truck or the badge you pin on your shirt,” he said.