Fire truck overturns while responding to blaze, killing one firefighter

A fire department truck overturned on its way to a reported land fire in South Sulawesi, killing one firefighter at the scene.

The crash occurred at about 10 a.m. local time on the Tajuia-Kayubauk main road in Bontomatene district, Selayar Islands regency. The crew was heading toward Kayubauk after residents reported the fire.

Police said the truck carried five crew members. Two sat in the front, including the driver, while three others rode on top of the water tank at the back. As the vehicle entered Kayubauk village, it reportedly struggled on an uphill stretch and began rolling backward.

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Yes, it is true, the accident happened while fire department personnel were heading to the Kayubauk area after receiving information from residents about a land fire.

Three firefighters at the rear jumped from the truck in an effort to save themselves and stop it from continuing backward. When the vehicle overturned, Hendra Ekaputra, 33, was run over and trapped beneath the truck. Two other firefighters at the rear escaped.

Police described the incident as a single-vehicle crash but said they were examining the scene and questioning those involved to establish exactly what happened. The body was taken to Bontomatene Community Health Center for further examination. The overturned truck remained at the site pending the arrival of heavy equipment for its removal.

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For now, this is a single-vehicle accident. However, we are continuing the investigation and examining the site to determine the exact cause and establish the full sequence of events.