Firefighters killed in Rural Fire Service truck tragedy in Buxton
Two volunteer firefighters were killed and another three injured when their fire truck rolled battling a blaze southwest of Sydney late last night, ending a horror day for crews fighting more than 100 fires across NSW.
NSW
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Two NSW volunteer firefighters have been killed in the line of duty southwest of Sydney late last night, ending a horror day for crews battling more than 100 blazes across NSW.
Emergency services were called to Wilson Dr, Buxton just before 11.30pm on Thursday after the NSW Rural Fire Service truck was believed to have hit a tree before rolling off the road.
Police said the driver and a front passenger - both volunteer rural firefighters - died at the scene. The two firefighters have been identified as members of Horsley Park RFS.
Three other firefighters were treated by paramedics at the scene for injuries. The NSW RFS said the fatal incident occurred during firefighting operations and the truck had been travelling in convoy.
The 2 firefighters killed in a vehicle accident last night are Deputy Captain Geoffrey Keaton 32yrs & Firefighter Andrew O’Dwyer 36yrs, both from Horsley Park Brigade. Our thoughts are with their family, friends & fellow brigade members. #nswrfs pic.twitter.com/p3Y8zX3hBj
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 19, 2019
Prime Minister Scott Morrison this morning issued a statement offering condolences to the families of the two firefighters.
“They were bravely defending their communities with an unmatched spirit and a dedication that will forever set them apart amongst our most courageous Australians.
“Their sacrifice and service saving lives and saving properties will be forever remembered. I wish those injured all the best in their recovery.
“Our hearts go out to their families, friends and colleagues who have been working tirelessly beside them, particularly during this Christmas period.”
The Prime Minister also announced he will return from his holiday as soon as can be arranged.
“The Service’s thoughts are with all the firefighters’ family, friends and fellow brigade members,” the RFS said in a statement early on Friday.
“This is an absolutely devastating event in what has already been an incredibly difficult day and fire season.”
A bushfire ripped through Buxton, Balmoral, Bargo and surrounds on Thursday, with fears up to 40 homes may have been lost.
Earlier in the day, two firefighters were hospitalised in induced comas after their truck was enveloped by flames.
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Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said an RFS crew of five was overrun by fire at Bargo.
Colleagues fought the flames to administer first aid before paramedics arrived.
Mr Fitzsimmons said two men, aged 56 and 36, had suffered serious burns to their faces, bodies and airways, and needed to be intubated and placed in induced comas.
They were flown to Concord Hospital’s burns unit.
A female crew member was taken to Liverpool Hospital suffering burns and smoke inhalation and two other volunteers were treated by paramedics at Bargo Showground.
In Buxton, a sharp southerly wind change forced the roaring fire on to the town, trapping RFS captain Jon Russell and his crew from Cottage Point in their vehicle as flames licked at the truck — their hoses melted, their mudguard was destroyed.
A firefighting veteran of 40 years, Mr Russell thought they were doomed.
“As I got out of the driver’s seat they came back screaming ‘get back in the truck get back in the truck’. We stuck hard up against the garage because it was on the only thing I could see. You couldn’t see anything,” he said.
“It was unbelievable the speed that moved at. Of all the days I have been a firefighter today is the only day I thought it would be my last.”
Desperately they radioed for help and were saved when backup crews arrived.
About 2000 firefighters are on the ground and another 500 volunteers are on standby for the worsening conditions. There are 106 fires burning, 53 not yet contained.
Just 80km to the city’s north west, the giant Gospers Mountain fire is bearing down on Mt Wilson, Mt Irvine and Itchenstroke where residents were told it was too late to leave and warned it could get worse overnight as the southerly change blew flames back onto them. In Bilpin, residents were told to seek shelter.
“This is as bad as it gets,” Kerin Lambert, duty commander Fire and Rescue, said as he turned back vehicles outside Balmoral. “Firefighters have performed absolutely courageously in the face of absolute peril.”
The state of emergency declaration allows Mr Fitzsimmons to direct any NSW government agency to conduct or refrain from conducting its functions. It is the second state of emergency declared in the bushfire season. The last, in mid-November, was the first since 2013.