Sioux Falls, South Dakota – A Murdo firefighter died on his way to a large grass fire Saturday evening.
The single-vehicle accident occurred four miles north of Draper, SD, according to a press release.
The 37-year-old firefighter was driving north on 279th Street in a fire truck just before 7 p.m. when it went off the road and rolled.
Officials say the driver was thrown from the truck and died on the scene.
The press release stated that the driver was not wearing a seatbelt.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol is still investigating the crash, and the person’s identity has not been released pending notification of family members.
The Murdo Volunteer Fire Department issued a press release expressing their deep sadness over the death of one of their members and requesting that the public respect the families’ and the department’s privacy while the investigation is ongoing.
According to the Murdo Volunteer Fire Department’s press release, the grass fire spanned 1200 acres and has been contained.
