Fatal Firetruck Accident in Yellow Medicine County Under Investigation
A firetruck accident in Yellow Medicine County on Sept. 26 resulted in one death and several injuries.
According to the State Patrol, the Wood Lake firetruck was traveling northbound on 490th Street, near Cottonwood, around 6:30 p.m. when it veered off the road, struck a mailbox, and rolled multiple times before ending up in a westbound ditch. All three occupants of the truck were unbelted.
Retired firefighter Patrick Steven Remiger, 43, was found under the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. A 6-year-old boy suffered serious injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital. The 37-year-old driver of the firetruck also sustained serious injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Authorities confirmed that alcohol was not a factor in the crash, although several Keystone Light cans were discovered near the scene. The firetruck was participating in Lakeview homecoming activities at the time of the incident.
The State Patrol is conducting an ongoing investigation into the accident.
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