Texas Releases LODD Investigation Report

Jan. 26, 2006
Firefighter and officers failed to follow departmental policy requiring all to be buckled up before the truck was in motion.

Investigators probing the death of a Texas firefighter who fell from a moving vehicle last year have determined that the safety belt monitoring system on the Quint was not working, and at least one sensor had been disabled.

The Texas Fire Marshal's Office also found that officers and the victim, Christopher Brian Hunton, 27, violated Amarillo Fire Department policy that requires everyone to be buckled up.

Investigators also discovered a faulty door latch on the vehicle, and suggested routine inspections be conducted. They also suggested emergency vehicles be placed out of service until repairs are made.

The Quint was en route to a reported structure fire on April 23, 2005. Hunton was donning his SCBA when the left rear passenger door opened, and he fell to the street and struck his head, according to the fire marshal

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