N.C. Firefighter Killed When Tanker Crashes

A Justice firefighter was killed when the tanker he was driving flipped over in Louisburg on Tuesday evening.

John Gupton, 24, was killed instantly, Franklin County Sheriff Jerry Jones told ABC11.

A second firefighter was taken to WakeMed and released after treatment.

The crash happened at 5:10 p.m.,about four miles from the scene of the fire in Lake Royal. 

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"I don't know how to describe it," said Jones. "It's just sadness. This area is just full of sadness."

"We're dependent, very dependent upon these guys," said Franklin County Fire Marshal Jeff Lewis. "It's like you lost your brother even though we don't know everybody by name. We know them by department, and everybody is involved. Everybody is one big emergency services group." 

Officials don't believe speed is a factor in the crash.

Gupton is survived by his parents.