Hillsboro Fire Department Vehicle Accident Fatality 2001

Firefighter William Thompson was the sole occupant and driver of a tanker (tender) responding to a grass fire. As the tanker reached a right curve, the vehicle swerved from the right side of the road. Firefighter Thompson steered it back onto the road surface, crossed the road, and veered to the left side of the roadway. The apparatus struck an embankment and a telephone pole and rolled over. Firefighter Thompson was ejected from the vehicle, and the tanker came to rest on top of him. Firefighter Thompson was not wearing a seat belt. For additional information on this incident, refer to NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation F2001-06.