Two Firefighters Killed in Tanker Accident
ONSLOW COUNTY
- Two Rhodestown volunteer firefighters were killed on Catherine
Lake road Saturday afternoon en route to a structure fire in the
Nine Mile area.
Billy Harold Williams, 45, and Brandon Michael Whimple, 19, both
of Jacksonville, died at the scene after their tanker overturned,
according to NCSHP Trooper J. J. January.
The initial call was received just before noon Saturday for an
abandoned mobile home fire on Hewitt Road. Rhodestown was
responding mutual aid to assist the Nine Mile Fire Department.
Firefighter Williams was driving the 1987 Chevrolet tanker
carrying 1,200 gallons of water. The two firefighters killed were
the only personnel on board.
It was not clear if either were wearing seat belts.
The unit was heading west on Catherine Lake Road and was between
Union Chapel Road and Wood Drive.
"The fire truck skidded sideways and overturned," Trooper January
said.
The unit was upside when it came to rest in the middle of
Catherine Lake Road. Two other firefighters responding in their
personal vehicles were behind the tanker and witnessed the crash.
Trooper January estimated the unit was traveling between 45 and 55
mph in the 45 mph zone. It was operating all warning devices,
including the siren.
According to Assistant Chief Kip Willaford of the Nine Mile
Volunteer Fire Department, the mobile home fire crews were
initially responding to resulted in a total loss and was started
by a land owner burning off brush.
From USFA/DHS:
(pending)
The arrangements are as follows:
Visitation for Firefighter Billy
Williams (RTVFD #1310) will be Tuesday, March 27 from 1000 to 1200
hours at Johnson Funeral Home on Henderson Extension in
Jacksonville. Immediately following will be the funeral.
Firefighter Williams will continue to his final resting place at
the Onslow Memorial Gardens on Richlands Highway.
Visitation for Firefighter Brandon Whimple (RTVFD #1336) will be
Tuesday, March 27 from 1800 to 2000 hours at Jones Funeral Home
(just behind the Kettle restaurant). Funeral services will be held
on Wednesday, March 28 at 1400 hours. Firefighter Whimple will
continue to his final resting place at the Onslow Memorial Gardens
on Richlands Highway.
Firefighter Whimple's family requests that in lieu of flowers, a
donation be made to the
North Carolina
Fallen Firefighter's Foundation.
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North Carolina Fallen Firefighter's Foundation
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