BRIAN GRAY
Firehouse.Com News

A five-year veteran of the Moreau, Missouri Volunteer Fire District was killed Sat. May 27, when he apparantly lost control of the pumper he was driving and veered off the road.

According to the preliminary findings of the Missouri State Police who is conducting the investigation is ruling the incident as "accidental" Fire Chief Kent Papen said.

Evan Shirk, 27, was returning to quarters from a motor vehicle accident that was unfounded. Shirk the lone occupant of the engine, lost control of the vehicle approximately 1 mile from the station.

Preliminary reports from the state police and eyewitnesses, the front right wheel drifted off the road and into soft ground, Papen said.

While trying to ease the truck back onto the road the right wheel struck a drainage ditch causing the vehicle to veere across the road, inducing the vehicle to rollover.

Shirk, who was ejected from the apparatus which subsquently caught fire, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Autopsy reports stated the cause of death was due to massive head trauma. Shirk was married and was expecting his third child.

A memorial service will be held on May 31 at the Pleasant Hill Church in Latham, Missouri. The service will begin at 9:30 AM.

Memorial Fund Information

• Mary Shirk - Evan Shirk Memorial Fund
  C/O Bank of Versailles
  113 E Newton
  Versailles Mo, 65084