MO Firefighter Killed, Another Hurt in Fire Vehicle Crash

May 30--A firefighter was killed and another injured in northeast Missouri on Memorial Day when the fire vehicle they were in crashed on its way to a fire.

KTVO reports that Memphis volunteer firefighter Jesse Ketchum, 33, was driving the vehicle and died in the wreck, which happened at around 6:15 on Monday night. His passenger, 27-year-old firefighter John Chancellor, suffered serious injuries.

According to the incident report, Ketchum ran the truck off the right side of Highway 15 and then over-corrected as he tried to return to the roadway, causing the truck to overturn several times, which ejected both men from the vehicle. The report says neither was wearing a seat belt.

Ketchum was pronounced dead at the scene, while Chancellor was taken to University Hospital in Columbia.

Visitation is scheduled for June 1, from 12:00 to 9 p.m. at Payne Funeral Chapel in Memphis.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on June 2 at the Scotland County R1 High School in Memphis. Interment will follow in Downing Cemetery in Downing, MO.

Memorials are suggested to the family for their discretion to be used for Children’s Education Fund or Fire Department and can be left at or mailed to the Payne Funeral Chapel, 202 E. Madison St., Memphis, MO, 63555.