Texas firefighter dies after fire truck strikes him on scene

Abbott firefighters aided Horace Dan Wright, and EMS transported him to a hospital

April 17, 2023 12:57 PM

By Leila Merrill
FireRescue1/EMS1

ABBOTT, Texas — An Abbott volunteer firefighter died Friday evening after he was struck by a fire truck on scene, the Hill County Sheriff’s Office announced on Facebook.

Abbott Firefighter Horace Dan Wright was hit by a fire truck and transported to a hospital, where he died.

Texas Department of Public Safety officials told KWTX that Horace Dan Wright was “backed into by the fire truck” near mile marker 359 on Interstate 35.

“As they arrived, it was determined that it was actually a stranded motorist and they opted to stay on scene to assist with traffic control until a wrecker arrived,” the sheriff’s office said. That’s when the crash happened – as the firefighters were repositioning.

They rendered care.

Wright was transported to Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest in Waco, where he was later pronounced dead.

Wright’s death comes mere weeks after the death of West Firefighter Eddie Hykel, who also was struck while on I-35.