Two firefighters are killed and three are injured when their truck crashes into a wall en route to a fatal highway accident in West Virginia

  • Pratt Volunteer Fire Department members were going to West Virginia Turnpike
  • The firefighters were trying to reach a fatal highway accident before their crash
  • Deputy fire chief said the firefighters killed were married and reportedly had kids

Two West Virginia firefighters were killed and three others were injured when a volunteer fire department's truck crashed on the way to a fatal highway accident.

Members of the Pratt Volunteer Fire Department were en route to the wreck on the West Virginia Turnpike when their truck veered into a ditch, hitting a rock wall.

The firefighters were on their way to a crash scene on the West Virginia Turnpike (pictured) where three people were killed

The firefighters were on their way to a crash scene on the West Virginia Turnpike (pictured) where three people were killed

Assistant fire chief Michael Edwards, 46, and Lt. Thomas Craigo, 40, were killed in the crash in Kanhawa County, said Pratt Deputy Fire Chief Rod Johnson.

Edwards had been a firefighter for 25 years, while Craigo had been with the department for about 15 years.

Both men were recently married and reportedly had children. Edwards' wedding took place just a week earlier, said Johnson.

Chief Timmy Walker is in a critical condition and firefighter Billy Hypes is in a stable condition. Firefighter Kyle Jenkins was treated and released.

Meanwhile, three people were reportedly killed in the accident the firefighters were attempting to reach Saturday night.

A car driven by Beatrice Patrick, 77, of Salyersville, Kentucky, was going the wrong way in the southbound lanes, said state police spokesman Capt. Reggie Patterson.

It struck another car head-on, sending it off the road into a disabled box truck.

Patterson said the driver of the second car, James W. Platte, 49, of Westphalia, Michigan, and his wife, Tonya Platte, 38, were killed. 

Box truck driver Jordan Napoleon, 40, of Greer, South Carolina, was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Survivors were being treated at Charleston Area Medical Center.

'This is a tragic event and believed to be the worst accident involving our volunteer fire service has ever suffered,' Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper said in a written statement. 

Survivors were being treated at Charleston Area Medical Center (pictured)

Survivors were being treated at Charleston Area Medical Center (pictured)

County Commission President Kent Carper said in a written statement: 'Our thoughts and prayers are with all those involved in these accidents this evening and their families. 

'This is a tragic event and believed to be the worst accident involving our volunteer fire service has ever suffered.' 

West Virginia State police were investigating both crashes. 

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2 firefighters killed, 3 injured in West Virginia accident

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