United States Fire Administration
18 April 2023
Earlier: Texas Firefighter Killed, Struck by Fire Apparatus
The United States Fire Administration has announced the death of Firefighter Horace Dan Wright, 71, of the Abbott Volunteer Fire Department on 14 April 2023.
On Friday, April 14, 2023, the Abbott Volunteer Fire Department responded to a motor vehicle crash on Interstate Highway 35. Upon arriving on scene, it was determined to be a stranded vehicle, but the fire department stayed on scene for traffic control until the wrecker arrived.
As Abbott firefighters were repositioning the apparatus, Firefighter Horace Dan Wright, who was assisting with the repositioning, fell and then was struck by the fire apparatus. Firefighters immediately rendered emergency medical care and called for additional emergency services to assist with the incident. Firefighter Wright was flown to Hillcrest Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Age: 71
Rank: Firefighter
Classification: Volunteer
Incident date: April 14, 2023 7:15 p.m.
Date of death: April 14, 2023
Cause of fatal injury: Struck By
Nature of fatal injury: Trauma
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 2023 currently is 24.
Go here to read the number of interior line of duty deaths for 2023.
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 