Three members of the San Diego Fire and Rescue Department were injured in an accident they suffered early this Sunday in Louisiana while driving to North Carolina to help victims of Hurricane Helene.
The accident occurred at approximately 2:45 am local time. on eastbound East Highway 20 near the Louisiana-Texas borderas reported at a press conference by the deputy chief of fire for emergency operations, James Gaboury.
This morning, tragically, 3 members of the California-Task Force 8 team were seriously injured in a vehicle accident in Louisiana while en route to conduct urban search & rescue in communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. We pray for their full recovery.
— Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas (@SecMayorkas) September 29, 2024
The wounds that the victims suffered range from moderate to critical and all three firefighters are recovering at Louisiana State University Hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Keep reading: Hurricane Helene has caused the death of at least 57 people
Gaboury said the three members of the Southern California team They were taken by air ambulance to a local hospital.in addition to mentioning that their names were not yet revealed while waiting to notify their relatives.
“They are all long-time members of the San Diego Fire and Rescue Department and have been members of the FEMA task force contingent for many years,” he added.
The deputy fire chief said that this It was the first time that members of the team suffered such a serious accident.which he described as devastating.
Keep reading: Hurricane Helene leaves at least 43 dead and thousands without power in the south
“We are communicating with all members of the San Diego fire and rescue departments, as well as participating agencies, to ensure that other members are also well taken care of“said Gaboury.
Until this Sunday morning, At least 63 people have died as a result of Hurricane Helenea category 4, which impacted the Big Bend region of Florida on Thursday night and devastated parts of Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Virginia and Tennessee.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria promised full support for the three members of the fire team while they recover from the injuries they suffered in Louisiana, in addition to mentioning that his office would keep the public informed about this incident.
Keep reading: After “catastrophic” entry into Florida, damage from Hurricane Helene spreads across several states
“As you have seen in the images and the consequences of that hurricane, This is a disastrous event that requires a national response.and I am proud that our firefighters and this task force can be part of that national response,” the mayor said.
“Naturally, this accident makes the matter difficult, but it does not complicate or take away the fact that These are brave, bold and public service-oriented people. “They deserve the support of their city,” added Gloria.
The San Diego Fire Team was headed to Charlotte, North Carolina, to offer support and resources to those affected by Hurricane Helenewhich hit the East Coast over the weekend, leaving at least 63 people dead in five states so far and hundreds of roads closed.
Keep reading: Helene arrived as a Category 4 hurricane on the coast of Florida, where it made landfall with “catastrophic” winds and storm surges.
The San Diego Fire and Rescue Department is the host agency for the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue California Task Force 8 Team, which is made up of staff from several local San Diego County agencies and has more than 200 members.
Louisiana authorities continue active investigations to determine the causes that caused the accident.
Keep reading:
· Hurricane Helene rises to category 3 and they estimate that it will strengthen when it reaches Florida
· Hurricane Helene gains strength heading towards Florida, alert reaches category 4 when it makes landfall
· Helene becomes a hurricane and keeps Florida on alert