The community of Three Forks, Montana is reeling this weekend after the loss of it’s newly hired fire chief in a terrible accident. We are asking for prayer for the families and the community.
Six people are confirmed dead in the crash that killed Three Forks Fire Chief Todd Rummel Thursday, June 19, near Helena, authorities said.
Todd Rummel, 43, who became chief of the Three Forks Fire Department on May 6, was killed in a head-on collision while driving a Three Forks fire engine back from Helena, where it had undergone repairs.
Rummel, was the sole occupant and driver of the fire engine. A family of five from Helena, including three children, also died, a Montana Highway Patrol spokesman said. The victims, occupants of a pickup truck that collided with the fire truck, have not been identified.
The crash resulted in an “instantaneous explosion” that was described as “an inferno.” There were no survivors.
Montana Highway Patrol Capt. Gary Becker said the cause of the 9 p.m. crash remains under investigation and Becker said he had no further information about the specific reason why one vehicle or the other crossed the center line.
“It could take several days or weeks to make sure we know everything,” he said.
The collision forced both vehicles into the barrow pit on the north side of the road, where the fire truck came to rest upside down and rotated, Becker said. The pickup was near the front of the fire truck.
Memorial Services for Chief Todd Rummel will be held at Three Forks High School on Wednesday June 25. Services will begin promptly at 2 p.m.
Read more at the Three Forks Herald.
Please be in prayer for this tragic loss.
A tribute to all Firefighters:
