UPDATED on 01.05.22 at 23:20
BRAKSTON DISTRICT, W. WAZAZ – Three people have died after a car crashed into a river.
One of the dead was a volunteer firefighter who was trying to save a mother and child who were in the crash.
New information was released by the West Virginia Fire Marshal’s Office, which is also investigating.
Chief Deputy Robbie Bailey of WV Fire Marshal said responders first received a call from a vehicle in the Elk River with possible people inside.
Sutton Voluntary Fire Department and Gassway Voluntary Fire Department responded to the stage near the parking lot of the Braxton County Elderly Center. They responded along with the Braxton County Sheriff’s Office and the WVSP.
Respondents found out what is believed to be a mother and child who crashed an average SUV from a parking lot in the river on Sunday afternoon, according to Bailey.
“This vehicle was in that parking lot here at the Braxton County Elderly Center and went through the parking lot and then ended up in the Elk River,” Bailey said.
When firefighters went on a rescue operation, Bailey said a Gassway firefighter entered the river to help with the rescue and died.
“The county sheriff’s office and state police also responded, and during that response we had a male volunteer firefighter who, while in the water, had some complications and eventually fell,” Bailey said.
Bailey was able to release more information about the woman and child who died.
“Those who were in this vehicle from our preliminary investigation show that they are not local,” Bailey said. “There are a lot of emotions involved, not only with the families of all those involved, but also with these emergency services, because the emergency services in Braxton County and West Virginia are very close.
The state fire marshal will also provide information related to their investigation.
“The role of the state firefighter here is due to the death of a volunteer firefighter who is a member of the West Virginia Fire Department,” Bailey said. “Every death is tragic, so let us know that we have one death, then two deaths, then three.”
More information about the investigation will be provided by the Braxton County Sheriff, who is dealing with the incident.
This is an evolving story, keep checking out WSAZ.
An original story
A car accident in the Elk River resulted in several deaths near the Herald Bridge.
According to the director of emergency management of Braxton County, the accident happened around 14:30 on Sunday, south of Sutton, on I-79 near exit 62 opposite the adult center. Two people in the car died, one adult and one child. Both passengers drowned in the accident.
A volunteer firefighter trying to carry out a rescue operation also drowned.
According to a report, an MP and US soldiers managed to pull one of the victims out of the water. They also managed to save another person who was trying to find victims, but had begun to fall. This man is expected to be well.
No names or additional information are currently being published.
The crews completed the rescue operation around 4:55 p.m. The Braxton County Sheriff is investigating the crash. They were assisted by West Virginia State Police, Braxton County EMS and several volunteer fire departments.
Keep checking the WSAZ app for the latest information.
Copyright 2022 WSAZ. All rights reserved.
Add Comment