Young WA firefighter killed battling Boxing Day blaze near hometown

The firefighter, aged in his early 20s, was helping battle a blaze in a regional area on Boxing Day when he suffered a fatal injury.

A young firefighter, helping battle a blaze near his home town in Western Australia’s Great Southern region, has been killed in an incident on the fireground.

Harry Stead, aged in his early 20s, was a volunteer firefighter assisting crews fighting a fire at Coomalbidgup, about 50km from the regional coastal centre of Esperance on Tuesday.

Harry Stead died while battling an out-of-control blaze on a farming property near Esperance on Tuesday.

By Wednesday afternoon, the fire at Coomalbidgup was at an advice alert level. Picture: DFES

His crew was travelling on a private firefighting vehicle on a farming property when he fell from the vehicle and suffered fatal injuries.

The state’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) confirmed Mr Stead’s death in a statement.

“An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the man’s death will be conducted and WA Police, who will prepare a report for the coroner,” it said.

Mr Stead was travelling with other volunteer firefighters when it’s understood he fell from the vehicle, suffering fatal injuries.

Mr Stead’s family live in Cascade, about 85km northwest of Esperance.

WA Premier Roger Cook said he was “devastated” to learn of the young volunteer’s death.

“Our first responders put their lives on the line every day in the service of keeping our community, and our state, safe,” Mr Cook wrote in a statement on his official X account (formerly Twitter).

“This is an absolute tragedy, and I know the thoughts of all Western Australians are with the young man’s family and friends.”

I am devastated to learn the news that a volunteer firefighter has died while battling a bushfire near Esperance.

Our first responders put their lives on the line every day in the service of keeping our community, and our State, safe.

— Roger Cook (@RogerCookMLA) December 26, 2023

The Coomalbidgup fire started on Boxing Day morning and has burned through more than 7000ha.

At the time of writing it is the subject of an advice alert level, meaning it is not directly threatening lives or property, despite being out-of-controlled and uncontained.