United States Fire Administration
3 May 2022
The United States Fire Administration has announced the death of Firefighter John Dean Forbush, 24, of the Gassaway Volunteer Fire Department on 1 May 2022.
On Sunday, May 1, 2022, Firefighter John Dean Forbush responded to the scene of a vehicle crash at the Elk River in Braxton County, West Virginia. While attempting to rescue a mother and daughter after their SUV was driven into the water, he was caught in the current and drowned. The vehicle crash is being reported as a murder-suicide. Investigation into the incident continues.
Age: 24
Rank: Firefighter
Classification: Volunteer
Incident date: May 1, 2022 2:30 p.m.
Date of death: May 1, 2022
Cause of death: Out of Air
Nature of death: Drowning
Activity type: Search and Rescue
Emergency duty: Yes
Duty type: On-Scene Non-Fire
Fixed property use: Outdoor Property
The number of on-duty deaths for 2022 currently is 41.
Go here to read the number of interior line of duty deaths for 2022.
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 