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Clayton, Ga. Fire Chief Mike Queen, 30, was killed Tuesday night during a routine hose testing evolution after suffering a traumatic head injury, officials said.

The investigation into the events that led to the head injury are still under investigation, according to Jan Nash, spokesperson for the Rabun County Volunteer Fire Department. But she confirmed that the incident occurred during a routine hose test when a hose jacket came apart from a coupling. Results from the formal investigation could take weeks.

Officials initially said that it was believed Queen was struck by part of the hose or coupling, but the investigation into the exact chain of events was continuing.

The inicident happened at about 8 p.m. at the Clayton fire station during the annual tests, officials said.

CPR was started immediately on the scene, but the 12-year veteran was pronounced dead a short time later at the Rabun County Memorial Hospital.

"The family of Michael Queen [wishes] to express their gratitude to each and every one of you for your thoughts, prayers, actions and concern over the past few days," a family statement released Friday said. "Being a firefighter was Michael's life -- being a volunteer was what he lived for ... what he died for."

Queen was divorced and leaves behind two young children.

Clayton Station One covers the Clayton territory in Rabun County. Queen had served as chief of the station for two years, Nash said.

A local fund has been set up for the family of Michael Queen. Donations may be made to:

• Michael Qeueen Memorial Fund
  First Clayton Bank
  P.O. Box 1250
  Clayton, Georgia 30525