Heber-Overgaard, AZ – Three people, including two Timber Mesa Fire & Medical District firefighters, were killed late Sunday night in a head-on collision on State Route 260 near Heber, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS).
The crash occurred at approximately 10:14 p.m. near milepost 319, outside of Heber-Overgaard, AZ. DPS investigators said a westbound vehicle crossed the center line for reasons still under investigation and struck an eastbound Timber Mesa ambulance head-on.
Further details of the collision have not been released, such as who was driving and who was the passenger, what their ages were, and if there was time to react to the oncoming vehicle. Fire districts join in a program called Inter Facility Transports (IFTs). It’s where an ambulance drives a patient from or to hospitals for care. We will update these facts when they become available.
The driver and sole occupant of the westbound vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. Both firefighters inside the ambulance also died at the scene.
Timber Mesa Fire & Medical confirmed the deaths in a statement Monday, describing them as line-of-duty fatalities.
“Our entire organization is grieving the loss of our team members. We ask for privacy and
compassion as we support the families, co-workers, and community during this very difficult time,” the Timber Mesa statement said.
The Concho Fire District wrote a statement on Facebook, “One of the firefighters that passed is a member of Concho Fire. He and his partner were killed in a crash while on duty at another fire department.”
Timber Mesa said the names of the fallen firefighters will be released once family notifications are complete.
DPS troopers closed the highway in both directions overnight while investigators examined the scene and emergency crews cleared the wreckage. Traffic was diverted through alternate routes near Heber.
Timber Mesa Fire & Medical serves much of southern Navajo County, and the incident marks one of the deadliest line-of-duty tragedies in the district’s history.
Mountain Daily Star sends our sincerest condolences to the families, the fire district, and the community.
This is breaking news and will be updated when more information becomes available.
