Virginia Firefighter Killed in Fire Engine Crash

July 16, 2012
Bloxom Firefighter David R. Chew Jr. was responding to an earlier collision when the engine crashed.

A member of the Bloxom Volunteer Fire Company was killed in a fire engine crash Monday morning.

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Firefighter David R. Chew Jr., 30, was responding to an earlier collision when the engine crashed about a half mile west of U.S. Route 13 on Nelsonia Road shortly after 11:30 a.m., according to The Delmarva Daily Times.

The driver of the apparatus, Firefighter James Richard Lambirth, lost control while negotiating a curve before veering off the road and striking several trees, The Virginian-Pilot reports.

The impact caused the apparatus to overturn and Chew, who authorities say wasn't wearing his seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lambirth was transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salsbury, Md. for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Chew worked as a paramedic with the Northampton County Department of Emergency Medical Services and was a United Methodist minister.

He is survived by his wife and their 3-year-old son.

Funeral arrangements are pending

Firehouse.com will provide more information on this story as more information becomes available.

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