CHICAGO-- Fire Commissioner Raymond Orosco announced Friday morning the death of a 20-year veteran Chicago firefighter in an early-morning collision.
Several people were transported to hospitals with serious injuries stemming from a collision of a fire truck and a school bus in the South Side's Englewood neighborhood.
Orosco said firefighter William Grant, 44, was killed in the crash. He described Grant as a loving husband, father and friend.
Three Chicago firefighters and a bus driver were also injured in this morning's accident, which happened shortly after the bus had dropped off children at school.
One of the injured persons was taken to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County. Another was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, according to police News Affairs Officer Laura Kubiak. Their conditions were unknown.
A fire truck was "knocked on its side" near the intersection of 59th Street and Princeton Avenue, according to an Englewood District police lieutenant.
Sky5 reported that the fire truck collided with a school bus.
The school bus had no students on board, according to Chicago Public School spokesman Mike Vaughn.
"It had just finished a route for us, but there were no students on board," Vaughn said. The accident occurred between 8 and 8:15 a.m., he said. The bus driver was hurt, but not seriously, Vaughn said.
Police closed down 59th Street from Princeton Avenue to Wells Street, according to an Englewood District police officer.
"We've got the whole four corners of the intersection closed up," the officer said.
Up to seven ambulances were called to the scene near 59th Street and Princeton Avenue.
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Funeral Information
Visitation will be March 26 and 27 from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Lake-Lamb Funeral Home at 4727 W. 103rd St, Chicago.
The mass will be held at Christ the King Church at 9235 S. Hamlin Ave., Chicago on March 28 at 10:30 a.m. with burial to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery at 6000 11th St. in Alsip.
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