ALUM CREEK, W. Va. — A volunteer firefighter fell off a bridge while at the scene of a reported fire involving railroad ties on Sunday in Alum Creek, W. Va.
Firefighter Joey King, 61, a seven-year veteran of the Davis Creek-Ruthdale Volunteer Fire Department, died of injuries sustained during the fall.
Firefighters responding to the call tried to spot the fire from the bridge that runs over the railroad line, but smoke and fog limited visibility to near zero when the accident happened.
The fire was never found.
“It would be hard to find a person that is as dedicated and loyal to the cause as Joey King,” said Davis Creek VFD Captain Matt Lively, according to WSAZ. “On top of all that, you won’t find a better friend anywhere.”
Family and friends say Firefighter King was ready to respond to any incident, emergency or not.
“He was always there when you needed him,” Firefighter King’s sister, Arietta King, said. “You’d call him and he was there. It was always ‘come out here and I’ll work on your car, or I’ll be up there.’”