The Associated Press
BIG FLATS, NY — Investigators say speed and driver inexperience contributed to a crash that killed an upstate firefighter in July.
Ryan Barker of Elmira was returning from a July 8th call in the town of Big Flats when the small fire truck he was driving overturned while rounding a curve.
The 25-year-old was taken to an Elmira hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Barker was a firefighter with the West Hill Volunteer Fire Department and was the only person in the tanker truck.
Chemung County authorities have now completed their investigation into the crash.
They say Barker was likely traveling between 47 and 51 miles per hour on a road where the posted speed limit was 35.
Authorities also say his experience on that particular vehicle was limited.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press
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