Two American Samoa Fire Bureau Dvision firefighters died following an apparatus accident Thursday.
Capt. Mike Tipoti and Capt. Allen Velega were driving back to the station when their apparatus crashed on a sharp curve coming down a mountain road, the U.S Fire Administration said in an alert Tuesday. Tipoti, who was driving the apparatus, was pronounced dead at the scene, and Velega died after arriving at the hospital emergency room.
Two other firefighters were injured in the accident, Talanei reports. They had been riding at the back of the apparatus when the crash occurred.
One of the injured firefighters has been released from the hospital, while the family of the other injured firefighter was requesting he be flown to New Zealand for treatment, Talanei added.
"Right now, our hearts are with the crew’s family and friends and our family of firefighters suffering in the loss of these two remarkable and well respected crew members," a senior firefighter told Samoa News. "Our condolences to family and colleagues for the loss of these heroes."
