OAK RIDGE, Tenn. — Tenn. Firefighters were forced to extricate the body of their fellow firefighter while responding to an accident.
Medford Volunteer Fire Department Chief Ronnie Braden died in a Wednesday afternoon wreck while he and his wife were driving to a medical center, according to Knox News.
Chief Braden was reportedly experiencing chest pains while on his way to the medical center when his truck veered across the road and went 15 feet down an embankment and hitting a tree on the driver’s side.
Rescuers had a difficult time reaching the crash scene because of dense brush and steep and wet terrain. Crews spent more than an hour retrieving Chief Braden’s body and were able to rescue his wife from the wreck with a rope system.
Officials said the trauma Chief Braden sustained during the wreck may be the cause of his death.
Chief Braden’s son is also a firefighter.