Video: Mathiston Firefighters Survive One Vehicle Crash

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MATHISTON, Miss.(WCBI)–Two Mathiston Volunteer Firefighters are lucky to be alive and are on the mend after a one vehicle crash in Webster County. One fireman was transported to a Jackson hospital and the other to OCH Regional Medical Center in Starkville.

This Mathiston Volunteer Fire department’s quick attack truck is crushed beyond recognition. While responding to a call at a cemetary on Johnson Road in Webster County around 8 Wednesday night, the truck flipped in an accident.

“And unfortuantaley one of the engines crashed. It apparently had a blow out on the front left and the driver lost control of it,” said Barry Rushing/Webster Co Fire Coordinator.

That driver Greg Pritchard sustained facial injuries and was taken to a Jackson hospital. Along with Pritchard, Billy Trice was taken to OCH Regional Medical Center in Starkville. When first responders swing into action, their lives are often on the line and the outcome of their trip can be unpredictable.

“You know these guys risk heir lives for $15 a cal and they give half of that back to help the department. So, you know., what can you say,” said Mayor Jimmy Carden/Mathiston.

“It takes a special person to be a volunteer firefighter. Its getting less and less people volunteering to be a fire fighter. And the county tries to help them out, keep insurance and workmans comp on them to cover anything like this,” said Rushing.

While the firefighting tool seems to be ready for the scrap heap, Pritchard and Trice should recover from their injuries.

“They are going to be sore for awhile. They are scratched up and beat up. Got stitches but hey we’re happy they are here,” said Mayor Jimmy Carden.

This time the Cumberland Volunteer firefighters were able to pick up the slack by assisting on that call.