Alderman dies when fire truck wrecks
Published 6:00 am Monday, February 23, 2004
GLOSTER — A city alderman was killed and another man injuredhere Sunday when a fire truck overturned while responding to acall.
Gloster Ward Five Alderman Elliot Davis, 51, was killed afterbeing partially ejected from the fire truck he was driving, saidRod Crawford, public relations officer for the Mississippi HighwayPatrol. James McCurley, 47, a passenger in the truck, was injuredin the accident. Both men were volunteers with the GlosterVolunteer Fire Department.
The accident occurred around 3:19 p.m. Sunday, Crawford said, onKahnville Road about seven mile southeast of Gloster.
“While in response to a fire, Davis lost control in a curve,” hesaid. “At first running off the road to the right, oversteering,running across the roadway to the left, oversteering again; andcausing the fire truck to overturn.”
The second overcorrection overturned the truck on the driver’sside, and it continued to roll until it ended on the passengerside, Crawford said. The truck contained 1,000 gallons ofwater.
“Davis was pronounced dead at the scene and taken to AndersonFuneral Home,” he said.
Davis had served the town of Gloster as an alderman for 11years. He entered the office in 1993.
McCurley was transferred to Field Memorial Hospital inCentreville and kept overnight for observation, Crawford said.