United States Fire Administration
26 July 2021
EMMITSBURG, Maryland – The United States Fire Administration has announced the death of Firefighter Thomas Royds, 48, of the Lower Merion Fire Department/Belmont Hills Fire Company on 24 July 2021.
On Saturday, July 24, 2021, at 3:04 a.m., the Belmont Hills Fire Company and Gladwyne Fire Company were dispatched to a vehicle accident with injuries on Interstate 76. At approximately 3:23 a.m., while preparing to leave the scene of the initial incident, another vehicle struck Firefighter Thomas Royds, two other firefighters from Belmont Hills Fire Company, and one Pennsylvania State Trooper. Multiple EMS units were immediately requested to assist the injured first responders. Firefighter Royds went into cardiac arrest at the scene and was transported by ground ambulance to Paoli Hospital where he passed away. The two other firefighters were flown to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center where they are currently critical but stable. The Pennsylvania State Trooper was also transported by ground to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center to receive treatment. The driver of the vehicle that struck the first responders was taken into custody at the scene after reportedly drinking and driving. The investigation of the incident is ongoing.
Age: 48
Rank: Firefighter
Classification: Career
Incident date: July 24, 2021 3:04 a.m.
Date of death: July 24, 2021
Cause of death: Struck By
Nature of death: Heart Attack
Activity type: Scene Safety
Emergency duty: Yes
Duty type: On-Scene Non-Fire
Fixed property use: Street/Road
The number of on-duty deaths for 2021 currently is 62.
Fatality status is provisional and may change as USFA contacts State Fire Marshals to verify fatality incident information.
For more information about on-duty deaths as recorded by the United States Fire Administration go to “Firefighter Fatalities in the United States.”
Data Not Drama 