Will Chadwell/WDBJ7
The Eagle Rock Fire Department responded to a single-vehicle crash on Route 220 at Catawba Creek Road. Around 3:10 p.m., a 55-year-old fire department employee was backing up a firetruck to block the roadway when the truck hit another fire department member.
Roger Johns, 63, of Eagle Rock was serving as a ground guide when the truck backed into him. Johns later died at Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
The driver of the truck was not injured.
The crash remains under investigation. Charges are pending.
UPDATE:
State Police is investigating a fatal crash that happened Friday in Botetourt County.
Botetourt County says a volunteer firefighter who was responding to a crash on Thursday has died. The county could not give out any additional information.
UPDATE:
A Botetourt County firefighter was injured while responding to a crash Friday afternoon.
A county official says crews were responding to an emergency call, when a volunteer firefighter was injured on the scene of the accident.
The county plans to give out more information as it becomes available.
ORIGINAL:
A crash on 220 North in Botetourt County caused major delays Friday afternoon, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.
The crash happened near Catawba Creek Road.
At one point, all northbound lanes are closed. The lanes have since re-opened.
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BOTETOURT CO., Va. (WDBJ7) Botetourt County released statements Saturday after a volunteer firefighter was killed while responding to a crash Friday afternoon.
63-year-old Roger Johns, a volunteer firefighter with the Eagle Rock Fire Department, died Friday night while on the scene of a single-vehicle crash on Route 220 in Botetourt County. A 55-year-old fire department employee was backing up a firetruck, when the truck hit Johns.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and his fellow volunteers who play a critical role in serving our community,” County Administrator Gary Larrowe wrote in the statement. “Our primary focus at this time is on the well-being of his family and our close-knit team of volunteer and professional firefighters.”
Botetourt County Fire & EMS also released a statement.
"In a community where neighbors help neighbors and everyone knows everybody, this accident makes a tragedy very personal for our volunteer and professional firefighters," the statement says. "This accident reminds us once again that with any call, our firefighters risk their lives in service to our community."
Family and firefighters received emergency counseling services Friday night.
Funeral arrangements haven’t been determined.
Botetourt County Fire & EMS is mourning one of its own. In a community where neighbors help neighbors and everyone knows everybody, this accident makes a tragedy very personal for our volunteer and professional firefighters. Our focus at this time is on the well-being of the firefighter’s family and our dedicated team of volunteer and professional firefighters. We are making counseling services available for what is sure to be a long and difficult healing process. This accident reminds us once again that with any call, our firefighters risk their lives in service to our community. We will celebrate the life and dedication of our brother at the appropriate time but for now we would appreciate respecting the privacy of the firefighter’s family and our volunteer and professional force so we can mourn while protecting the lives and property of Botetourt County residents. We will have no additional comment at this time.