A Salt River Fire Department firefighter-EMT died when the ambulance he was driving collided with a truck loaded with gravel. The ambulance was on a call at the time of the incident.
A paramedic in the ambulance was taken to the hospital after the crash with serious injuries. The firefighter who died in the crash was identified as Brendan Bessee, 24, by the Globe Fire Department, where he worked as a reserve firefighter. The other injured paramedic’s name is Tyler Packer; he’s in critical condition.
The driver of the truck involved in the accident had minor injuries.
The accident took place on State Route 87 near McDowell Road, the Department of Public Safety said Friday afternoon.
The ambulance was on the way to an emergency call with lights and sirens sounding. It was turning left off of McDowell Road onto Beeline Highway southbound when it was hit by the semi-truck traveling north.
Officials say both firefighters were men and had been on the job for less than four months. The crash remains under investigation.
