By Laura French
OSAGE COUNTY, Okla. — An Oklahoma firefighter was critically injured after being ejected in a crash between two fire apparatus Wednesday.
Firefighter Caleb Drummond, 21, was battling a fire at the family ranch when the apparatus he was driving collided head-on with another apparatus driven by his uncle, Ladd Drummond, according to News on 6.
Caleb Drummond was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected, suffering critical injuries, officials said. Ladd Drummond was not reported to have suffered any injuries, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, but his apparatus was not equipped with a seat belt, officials said.
Caleb Drummond and Ladd Drummond are the nephew and husband, respectively, of “The Pioneer Woman” celebrity chef Ree Drummond. According to Osage County Emergency Management Director Jerry Roberts, the two firefighters are employees of the ranch and were the only occupants in their respective vehicles at the time of the collision.
Oklahoma Highway Patrol officials said high winds contributed to the crash. The fire on the Drummond family ranch has burned more than 200 acres, according to Osage Nation fire officials.