Sometimes accidents happen. But hitting a train with a fire truck is too big of an issue to overlook. The firefighter responsible for causing a major accident has been terminated. The city is holding him accountable to set an example of the professional level to expect from public servants. 

Firefighter gets fired after hitting train with firetruck 

With heavy hearts, the city of Delray Beach, Florida has decided to fire one of its firefighters. Driver Engineer, David Wyatt has been terminated after causing a major accident. 

He was driving a fire truck when he decided to drive around the crossing gates to cross train tracks. Wyatt had the emergency lights on but turned the siren off as he watched a freight train pass by. 

Then he entered the tracks and was hit by a Brightlane train traveling 79 mph from south to north on the west side of the tracks. The fire engine was torn apart into three pieces. 

Also, the train was carrying 242 passengers. Nine people had to be taken to local hospitals for non-life-threatening injuries. None of the firefighters in the truck were injured.

According to WPBF, City Manager, Terrence R Moore explained that the collision was more tat a traffic incident. It was a moment that tested the integrity of our public safety system and shook the confidence of the community they serve. 

He shared that this incident revealed a pattern of carelessness and poor judgement that went beyond an isolated error. Residents should know that Delray Beach will always put public safety fires and will act decisively when that standard isn’t met.