A volunteer firefighter from southeast Alberta was killed in a vehicle accident Tuesday night October 17.
James Hargrave, a 34-year old firefighter with Cypress County Fire Services was working on a wildfire that started in Alberta and spread into Saskatchewan where it was moving toward the towns of Leader and Burstall.
Mr. Hargrave was driving a water tender that collided with a pickup. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said he died at the scene. The driver of the pickup had minor injuries.
“James was very community-minded and joined the fire services to help and protect residents far and near. He was a great father and will be dearly missed by his wife, children, extended family, friends, neighbours and fellow first responders,” Cypress County said in a news release. “He was a great father and will be dearly missed by his wife, children, extended family, friends neighbours and fellow first responders.”
Our sincere condolences go out to Mr. Hargrave’s family, coworkers, and friends.
So sad. While firefighters who are overcome by fires as were the Granit Mountain Hotshots receive more attention, it seems that highway accidents pose a greater risk. Sadly, good people, really good people are lost to both hazards.