I felt sick when I found this out yesterday. I even teared up a bit.
One dead, two flown to Melbourne, two taken to regional hospitals. What's sickening is you know at least two of them were sitting on the back of that mangled wreck.
CFA truck crash | CFA tanker crash | Herald Sun
BLACK Saturday hero Hugh Monroe was just one of the thousands of Victorian firefighters who unselfishly put their lives on the line to protect the rest of us.
He yesterday paid the ultimate penalty, dying in a fire tanker rollover while he and four other Country Fire Authority volunteers were on their way to tackle a blaze.
Every firefighter could be forgiven for today thinking "there but for the grace of God go I" because each of them faces the same risk of giving their lives to save the lives of others.
In the midst of another scorching bushfire season, all Victorians should take time out to reflect on why they need to be eternally grateful to the state's volunteer and paid firefighters for the sacrifices they make and dangers they face.
More than 340 New York firefighters died in 2001 while trying to rescue victims of al-Qaida's September 11 terror attack on the World Trade Centre twin towers. Their heroic efforts quickly led to the city's firefighters becoming known as New York's Bravest - always with a capital B.
It's a tag they deserve and a tag the Herald Sun believes is equally appropriate to be applied to Victoria's firefighters, who are among the most loved and admired individuals in the state.
Mr Monroe's tragic death has helped persuade the Herald Sun the term Victoria's Bravest is one all Victorians should embrace from today.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/tight- ... 5817883046
A CFA hero and four other firefighting volunteers were injured when their truck rolled after hitting a tree.
Tolmie grandfather Hugh Monroe, 62, was crushed when the tanker he was driving, its lights flashing and siren blaring, crashed on its way to a fire near Benalla.
A Vietnam veteran who fought the 2006 fires that swept through Victoria's high country, Mr Monroe was a much loved member of the small, tight-knit community.
Wreckage from the truck was strewn across the track, a well-worn road for local firefighters, 14km out of Tatong.
It is believed the crew were experienced firefighters, some of whom helped tackle last year's Black Saturday fires.
Mr Monroe's shocked friends gathered at the Tolmie Tavern, where he was a regular.
Harry Basedow said a bloke couldn't ask for a better mate.
anyway on with the job I guess.
Total fire ban day for the entire state of Victoria. It's a "Code red alert" for most of the state. And people are being urged to vacate areas most prone to Catastrophic threat.
Country Fire Authority
If you are also on the border of Vic and SA or in southern NSWs please refer to your own states fire services.