Firefighter killed in rollover crash in Claiborne County

TAZEWELL, Tenn. (WVLT) - A fatal crash involving a North Tazewell Volunteer Fire Department truck left one firefighter dead in Tazewell, according to officials with Tennessee Highway Patrol. That firefighter was identified by the department as Captain Roy Sewell Jr., 27.

“We ask that you please respect his family at this time and them in thoughts in this hard time. Roy represented the best of us all. We love you brother,” department officials said. “Greater love hath no man than this.”

The crash occurred on State Highway 63 Cedar Fork Road, near Cedar Grove Road in Claiborne County. According to the NTVFD chief, Sewell was responding to an incident regarding a 9-year-old child that crashed an ATV.

Crews had decided to use a helicopter to transport the child, and Sewell was on his way to the scene when the crash occurred.

According to a report from THP, the 1990 Spartan fire truck was traveling on the roadway when Sewell, who was driving, ran off the right side of the roadway.

After leaving the roadway, the truck continued down the embankment, causing the vehicle to roll over and land on its top, officials said.

No other injuries were reported.

Copyright 2023 WVLT. All rights reserved.