MILLICENT, Australia — A volunteer firefighter died after being hit by a fire truck Tuesday afternoon.
Border Chronicle reported that firefighter Brian Johnston, 65, with the Millicent Country Fire Service, was standing at the rear of his vehicle on a highway preparing to fight a grass fire when he was struck by another fire truck.
Investigators believe smoke and low visibility may have contributed to the tragic incident.
“We will be relying on the reports from the investigation into the factors surrounding this particular accident before we determine what course of action will need to be taken,” Chief Officer Greg Nettleton said.
Firefighter Johnson started working with the department in 1965 and was one year shy of celebrating 50 years with the service, according to the report.
He was highly respected, an experienced volunteer, and active member and well-liked by the community.
“His loss will be quite severe for that brigade, group and community,” Nettleton said.
Johnston is the brigade’s second volunteer firefighter to have died in the past two months.
“It was only just last week that the Millicent Brigade worked at the tragic road accident where four people were killed and to have a loss of a brigade member yesterday (Tuesday) is certainly a dreadful experience,” Nettleton said. “Our thoughts are with them, the families and the community.”