Firefighter Killed in Fire Apparatus Crash
CARTERET COUNTY - The
Carteret County Fire Marshal's Office, a Division of Emergency
Management, is reporting that a Marshallberg firefighter was
killed this morning while responding to a call.
Firefighter Robert Gerald Whitaker, 55, was killed this morning
when the fire apparatus he was in left the road and struck a tree.
Also in the truck was the Marshallberg Fire Chief and another
firefighter. They received minor, non-serious injuries.
The firefighters from Marshallberg, Carteret County Station 14,
were responding mutual aid to Harkers Island, Station 41, for a
structure fire. The accident happened 3.9 miles from the scene.
Another volunteer was following the fire truck and narrowly missed
also running off the road. He was not injured.
Firefighter Whitaker is survived by a wife and children.
The fire in Harkers Island is being investigated as a case of
arson.
Marshallberg Fire Department
Contact: Tom Mann at 252-241-3598
Fire Station: 252-729-5111
From USFA/DHS:
The United States Fire
Administration (USFA) has received notice of the
following firefighter fatality:
Name: Robert Gerald Whitaker
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 55
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: Unknown
Date of Incident: 11/14/2006
Time of Incident: 0048 hours
Date of Death: 11/14/2006
Fire Department: Marshallberg Fire
Department
Address: PO Box 6, Marshallberg, NC
28553
Telephone: 252-729-5111
Fire Chief: Bryan Blake
Incident Description: Firefighter
Whitaker was responding to a mutual
aid alarm on Harkers Island, while
operating fire department apparatus
(type pending further information).
The apparatus left the roadway and
crashed at 0105 hours, about 4
miles from the scene of the reported
arson-caused residential structure
fire. Whitaker passed away from
injuries he received. The cause of
the vehicle accident is under
investigation.
Tribute is being paid to
Firefighter Robert Gerald Whitaker at
To date, 90 firefighter fatalities
have been reported to USFA in 2006.
The arrangements are as follows:
A memorial service will be held at 1400 hours Friday at
Munden Funeral Home,
2112 Arendell Street
in Morehead City.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at
the funeral home.
Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to the Marshallberg
Fire Department, P. O. Box 6, Marshallberg, NC 28553
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Related Links:
North Carolina Fallen Firefighter's Foundation
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