(KNZA)--The Hoyt Rural Fire Department fire truck that overturned, leaving the driver dead late Wednesday afternoon, was en route to the Jackson County Fair.
That word from Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse in a Facebook post made Thursday morning.
Killed in the crash was 47-year-old Hoyt resident Michael Schultz.
Injured was 36-year-old Randy Smith, of Mayetta. He was transported to Topeka's Stormont Vail HeathCare for treatment. Hoyt Rural Fire Chief Ed Kester, in a news release, says Smith continues to recover, and, as of Thursday, was expected to be released from the hospital soon.
Both men are identified as volunteer firefighters for the Hoyt Rural Fire Department, where Schultz served as Captain and Smith serves as assistant Chief.
Morse, in the Facebook post, says “what was supposed to be an evening of fun in Jackson County quickly turned into a tragic nightmare.” He says the truck was going to be driven in the evening's annual fair parade.
The Kansas Highway Patrol says the truck was southbound on U.S. Highway 75, just south of 174th Road, when a tire, on the drivers front side, blew out.
The blow out caused the truck to leave the roadway to the left, cross the median, and then cross the southbound lanes of traffic. It then struck the embankment and overturned.
The Patrol says neither man was properly restrained when the wreck happened shortly before 5:00.
Morse says his office wishes to honor both Schultz and Smith for “their unselfish sacrifice and service to their community.”
The deadly crash remains under investigation.
© Many Signals Communications
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