LANGDON, Kan. (AP) -- Two firetrucks responding to a brush fire in south-central Kansas collided head-on Wednesday, killing the district's fire chief.
The accident occurred about 4 p.m. southwest of Hutchinson as the two trucks from Reno County Fire District No. 7 responded to a controlled field burn that had gotten out of hand, the Reno County Sheriff's Office said. The office said smoke from the blaze had reduced visibility over the roadway, contributing to the crash.
One of the drivers, Fire Chief Ed King, 55, of Turon, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the other truck, Assistant Fire Chief Tom Franks, 57, also of Turon, was uninjured, the sheriff's office said. It was unclear if anyone else was on either truck.
The Kansas Highway Patrol was also investigating.
