ABBOTT, Texas — An Abbott volunteer firefighter died Friday night while he was helping a stranded driver on I-35, according to the Abbott Fire Department.
Around 7:18 p.m., the department responded to a call about a crash on I-35, just south of new Main Street Market in Abbott. When crews arrived, they discovered it was actually a stranded driver and stayed to help with traffic control, the department said.
As they were helping the driver, one of the firefighters was backed into by a fire truck, according to the the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
DPS said the firefighter was taken to Baylor Scott & White in Waco where he later died.
"Please join us as we grieve this tragic loss of a man who died in the service of strangers. Hill County was grateful for him and will not be the same without him," the Abbott Volunteer Fire Department said in a Facebook post.
No other information was released at this time.
This marks the second firefighter who was killed along I-35 while they were assisting in a crash. Back in March, West firefighter Eddie Hykel died while responding to a vehicle fire on I-35 after a semi crashed into him.