Murdo, SD, Firefighter Killed after Being Thrown from Rig While Responding

Capt. Nick Van Dam, 37, was driving the Murdo tender (tanker) to a grass fire when it rolled over.
July 28, 2025

Firefighters in Murdo are mourning the loss of their captain.

Capt. Nick Van Dam, 37, was driving a tender to a grass fire when the rig veered off the road and rolled over.

Van Dam, who had been a firefighter for eight years, was ejected from the rig, DRGNews reported.

He is survived by his wife and four children.

Arrangements are pending.

About the Author

Susan Nicol

News Editor

Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues. 

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