Ohio Firefighter Hurt in Fire Truck Crash

VAN BUREN - A 34-year-old Van Buren firefighter was injured Saturday night when he lost control of his fire truck while responding to a barn blaze near McComb.

Russell Howard, a volunteer firefighter with the Allen Township Fire Department, was westbound on State Rt. 163 near County Road 140 at 6:18 p.m. several miles west of Van Buren when, after rounding a curve, his truck left the right side of the road, Hancock County sheriff's deputies said.

In trying to gain control of the vehicle, Mr. Howard overcorrected.

The truck overturned on the driver's side and came to rest in a ditch.

Mr. Howard, who was not wearing a seat belt, was treated at Blanchard Valley Regional Health Center in Findlay, where he was released Saturday night, a hospital spokesman said.