UPDATE: Radio traffic from two firefighters struck & killed in Mississippi
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Previous coverage of this story
This is radio traffic posted by ScannerAudio from the hit and run crash that killed two Sumrall, Mississippi volunteer firefighters today (Tuesday).
Adding to this tragedy is news that the man arrested in the hit and run is the son of two volunteer firefighters from a neighboring department that responded to the scene when the firefighters were struck (see more below).
Killed were Clinton Alvin Beasley, 80, and Loretta Ann Sykes, 53, both firefighters with Sumrall VFD. A third firefighter was injured. The firefighters were at the scene of an earlier incident where a dump truck became tangled in power lines.
Here’s an update on the story from Therese Apel at The Clarion-Ledger:
The driver accused of killing two volunteer firefighters has been identified by the Lamar County Sheriff’s Dept.
Chance Eaton, 31, has been charged with hit-and-run and causing death, WDAM’s Ryan Moore reported. Eaton could face additional charges, authorities added. Eaton will make his initial court appearance Thursday morning.
According to WDAM, Eaton is the son of two Oloh volunteer firefighters.
Dungan said the firefighters were helping with traffic flow after an earlier incident involving a dump truck that got tangled in power lines on the opposite side of Hwy 589.
“We just ask for the people to pray for these families that lost these two fine individuals,” Lamar County Supervisor Dale Lucus said. “You couldn’t ask for better volunteer firefighters, they were always were willing to make any call day or night.”
Lamar County Fire Coordinator George Stevens said the incident is a horrible tragedy.
“These are the first two firefighters killed in the line of duty in my career here,” Stevens said.
Message from Sumrall VFD via Facebook:
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all of your heartfelt sympathy, your concern and most of all your prayers as we deal with the tragedy of losing two of our very own! Please keep us in your prayers.
Community volunteers have organized a candlelight prayer vigil at the Sumrall Fire Station on Water Ave, behind City Hall, at 7 p.m. tonight. Everyone is welcome to come. Please bring a candle with you and join us as we come together in support of our fallen brother and sister. “Chaplain To Heroes” Nathan L Barber, will be leading us in prayer.
