MURDO, S.D. — A Murdo firefighter died in a rollover crash while responding to a large grass fire, according to officials in South Dakota.
The 37-year-old firefighter was traveling northbound on 279th Street in a 1989 Ford Fire Tender just before 7 p.m. on July 26 when the vehicle left the roadway and rolled, the South Dakota Department of Public Safety said. The firefighter, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the truck and pronounced dead at the scene, according to officials.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. The firefighter’s name has not been released pending notification of family.
In a statement, the Murdo Volunteer Fire Department expressed its deep sorrow over the loss and asked the community to respect the privacy of the firefighter’s family and fellow crew members during this difficult time.
At the time of the crash, crews were responding to a 1,200-acre grass fire. The department said the fire’s forward progress has since been stopped.
