Courtesy United Fire Brigades' Association of New Zealand
Volunteer Firefighter Grant Judd was killed at the scene of a fire appliance crash while responding to a house fire early on Sunday afternoon, 17 June, New Zealand time.
United Fire Brigades' Association of New Zealand
Rescue crews work to remove the trapped firefighter, Grant Judd
|
Foxton Beach Volunteer Fire Brigade responded to back up the Foxton Volunteer Brigade which is 5 km inland from the West Coast resort. Foxton is on State Highway One about 100 km North of Wellington.
At the time of the accident there was very heavy rain and the Beach appliance had traveled about 4 km crashing into the front fence of a private property, narrowly missing two high tension power poles before coming to rest.
The deceased was trapped under the rolled vehicle. There were two other firefighters flown to Palmerston North Hospital by Rescue Helicopter. One suffered a leg injury and minor cuts and abrasions, he was discharged later in the day but the other injured firefighter was kept in Hospital for observation overnight.
The Brigade members had been planning a funeral for a past Chief Officer of the Foxton Beach Brigade at the time the call was received.
All Brigade members, their families and indeed the entire community of Foxton Beach are deeply shocked following this tragic incident.
Grant had been a member of the Brigade for only 7 months and was described by the Chief Officer, Rod Caldow, as a true and dedicated member of the Brigade who gave 110% all the time. Grant's father said that Grant could talk of nothing else other than his position in the Fire Brigade, the enjoyment he was getting from being a member and being able to serve his community.
Grant's funeral will be held in his hometown of Takapau this Thursday.
Firefighters from all over New Zealand extend their deepest sympathy to Grant's family at this very sad time.
