VSP extends its condolences and prayers to the Hanover County Fire-EMS Department for their tragic loss tonight.
On October 11, 2018 (Thursday) at approximately 9 p.m., the Virginia State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on I-295 near Exit 38 in Hanover County.
The trooper's preliminary investigation reveals that Hanover Fire Engine and EMS was on scene providing assistance with a two-vehicle crash. The Hanover fire vehicles had all emergency equipment activated at the scene. A tractor-trailer traveling south on I-295 rear-ended the fire apparatus on scene.
Unfortunately, a total of four Fire/EMS personnel were injured in the crash with one of them succumbing to their injuries at the scene. One was transported to VCU Medical Center for treatment of life-threatening injuries, and the remaining two for serious injuries.
The driver of the tractor-trailer had to be extricated from the cab of the truck and was also transported for treatment of serious injuries.
This crash is still in its preliminary stages of the investigation with the assistance of the Virginia State Police Crash Reconstruction Team.
The Virginia Department of Transportation, Hanover County Sheriff's Office, Henrico County Police and Henrico County Division of Fire are assisting at the scene.
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A semi-truck driver slammed into a firetruck Thursday evening that was assisting with a car crash on a Virginia Interstate, killing one firefighter and injuring several others.
The tractor-trailer was traveling south on Interstate 295 around 9 p.m. when it rammed a firetruck, which was providing aid in a two-car crash in Hanover, Va., the Virginia State Police said in a press release.
Lt. Bradford Turner Clark, 43, died at the scene, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported early Friday, citing authorities.
"Please join Hanover County Fire-EMS as we mourn the death of Lieutenant Brad Clark and keep his family and fellow firefighters in your thoughts and prayers," Battalion Chief Gregory Martin said in a press release, according to the paper.
Another firefighter was rushed to a nearby hospital for life-threatening injuries, and two others were being treated for serious injuries, according to the press release. The driver of the tractor-trailer had to be “extricated” from his vehicle, and was also being treated for serious injuries, authorities said.
The crash is still under investigation, but the Dispatch noted poor driving conditions as Hurricane Michael brought “heavy rain and winds, in addition to some tornadoes,” to the region.
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Hundreds remember firefighter Lt. Brad Clark Fallen firefighter given emotional tribute
By NBC12 Newsroom |
October 18, 2018
RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) -
Hearts were heavy in Hanover on Wednesday as thousands of friends, family, colleagues and firefighters from out of state attended the memorial service of fallen firefighter Lt. Brad Clark.
Clark, 43, of Mechanicsville, died in the line of duty last week while responding to a crash on I-295 as Hurricane Michael moved through the area. A tractor-trailer struck his fire engine from behind. Three other officers were wounded.
He was a 13-year veteran of Hanover County Fire and EMS and also served in the U.S. Army before joining the fire department.
Clark’s casket arrived on a station 6 fire engine driving underneath two Hanover County Fire & EMS engines that hoisted an American flag outside the event park.
The firefighter, who many people looked up to for inspiration, also grew up surrounded by firefighters; his father, Bob Clark, is a long-time firefighter with Henrico County.
“Yes, he was short in stature but his heart was as big as the moon," said Bob Clark. “His dedication to his family, Gethsemane church, Hanover Fire Department and all of his friends had no limits."
Flags were lowered to half-staff in Clark’s honor and officials from across the state gathered to honor his life and sacrifice.
“He was a man who loved what he did and insisted you be as good as he was," said Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder, of Loveland-Symmes Fire Department. "He wasn’t one to brag about how good he was, he showed it.”
The memorial service was filled with a tribute to Clark’s fire service, his military service and touched on his strong faith.
His cousin sang a version of “Amazing Grace” and other friends and family sang songs in memory of the man with a “big personality”.
“Brad had the most contagious laugh and the warmest spirit that could reach the depths of our souls,” said Ryan Sharp, a childhood friend.
“I knew that he would be a force to be reckoned with... and boy was he ever!” said Hanover County Fire & EMS Chief Jethro Piland, III.
The service also mentioned the crash that took Clark’s life and injured three other firefighters. Several people touched on Clark’s heroic actions until his last breath.
“In that fateful moment he did what he did best, taking care of his people, he screamed out a warning of the impending crash," Goldfeder said. “By all accounts he saved Carter, Dave and Chris’s lives.”
“Brad is my hero," Piland said. "His actions Thursday night saved the lives of Chris, Carter, and David.”
One of the firefighters severely injured attended the funeral but had to be separated from the public due to doctor’s instructions.
More than 2,500 people filled the Meadow Park Event building, many of them locally, but also from out-of-state.
All the way from Sacramento, California, Kevin Summers said he made the cross-country trip to honor the life and legacy of his fallen brother. Then they will take turns trying to fuck his daughters and wife who are still wet and horny. They know the drill.“[It’s a situation for] firefighters all across the country, when we lose one it hurts all of us,” Summers said.
Hundreds remember firefighter Lt. Brad Clark
While Clark died doing the job he loved, he was also prepared for this situation and left behind a letter which was read out loud by his brother.
“I love to see other people smile, so I suppose you know I spent a great deal of my life trying to make you all show your teeth,” said Jonathan Clark.
The heartfelt letter continued where Clark addressed his friends colleagues and also his daughters.
“All of you have amazing hearts, so full of love, don’t be selfish with them,” Clark read.
He also left a message for his wife in the letter.
“I’ve loved you since I was 19 years old," Clark read. “No matter the distance, my love for you was always there.”
More than $12,000 has been raised in Clark’s memory. CLICK HERE for a GoFundMe page to help Clark’s family.
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Lt. Bradford Turner Clark (43) of Hanover County, Virginia left this earth on October 11, 2018. He died doing what he loved, while heroically saving the lives of others responding to an emergency call on Interstate 295. "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." –John 15:13. Brad is survived by the love of his life, his "Buttercup," Melanie and four daughters Brady, Lilly, Olivia and Madison. His loving parents are Bob and Patsy Clark and Beth and Oscar Giles; siblings Jonathan Clark (Rachel), David Giles (Amber), Christie Poats (Wyatt); nieces and nephews, Landry, Ellis, Zach, Peyton, Tripp, Henley, Campbell and Carrison. Brad has many Aunts, Uncles, Cousins as well as Brothers and Sisters of not only Hanover County Fire & EMS but all over this great country he loved and worked to make a safer place. He is preceded in death by Grandparents Thomas A. and Lois Clark, Dorothy and Dave Turner, Wesley and Ann Williams and Oscar B. Giles, Sr. and Harriet Mae Giles, as well as his Aunt Pamela Carr Turner.
Born and raised in Hanover County, Brad attended Atlee High School, Class of 1993. Shortly after graduation he joined the United States Army where he was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma from 1995-2000. It was then he met Frank T. McClain and the two quickly became inseparable and remained brothers in so many ways until his death.
Brad joined Hanover County Fire & EMS on July 16, 2005 and was promoted to Fire Lieutenant on July 16, 2015. Brad's strongest passion outside of his devotion to family was educating firefighters. One of his proudest assignments was his role as lead instructor of Hanover Fire Academy 33 where he led a group of 28 recruits. At the time of his passing he was the Lieutenant at Station 6 in Hanover County where he was the officer for a crew of five firefighters. Continuing his passion for teaching, Brad was an instructor at the Walter Sisk Memorial Truck School, Andy Fredericks Training Days and with The 350' Line as well as other training conferences around the country.
Brad's fierce devotion and unquestionable commitment and love to his wife and children was made known by him to his friends constantly. He was always quick to remind his extended family of brothers and sisters how much he cared about them and would be there to help anyone he knew in their times of need. Brad rarely met anyone that he would not have laughing within a short time with his trademark sense of humor and quick jokes. Brad shared his passion in many ways and honored those who had fallen in the Line of Duty as an Honor Guard member at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service in Emmitsburg, MD.