Morales, Izabal, Guatemala- Ariel Josué Montes Estrada was killed instantly and Firefighter Carlos Francisco Chacon was severely injured in an explosion during operations at a dual tractor trailer incident on Guatemala’s CA-9 highway near Morales. in southeastern Guatemala. Both firefighters are members of the 73 Company, Bomberos Voluntarios. Two civilians and a police officer were also injured.
Firefighter Ariel Josué Montes Estrada, 23, was just completing his first year as a permanente (professional firefighter) . Proud of his new career, he was gregarious, helpful and enthusiastic. We going to miss sharing fire station pizza with him.
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Details of the incident are still unclear, but initial reports indicate the firefighters were working to extinguish a small fire near the saddle tanks of the two tractor trailers in the accident when something exploded in one of the trailers, hurling large sections of sheet metal in all directions, and propelling the largest part of one of the trailers several hundred feet into an adjacent field.
Firefighter Estrada, leading the attack on the hose line was struck in the head by a large fragment and died instantly on scene. Firefighter Chacon was struck in the upper body and received multiple clavicular fractures and a severe, near severing injury to his arm. He has been transported to a hospital in Puerto Barrios where he is undergoing emergency surgery tonight. He is cautiously expected to recover from his injuries.
While the investigation is ongoing, it is reported that the police are looking into the possibility that one of the trucks was carrying an unmarked hazardous material that may have been the cause of the explosion.
Carlos Chacon helped to guide several AMEDICAusa relief missions along with other 73 Company firefighters in the small villages around Morales in the aftermath of dual hurricanes Eta and Iota in late 2020 and early 2021.
“AMEDICAusa stands ready to help the families of the firefighters and the 73rd Company of the Bomberos Voluntarios in any way they need.” said AMEDICAusa President Neale Brown.
“They have been of great service to anyone who needs assistance, and it is time we returned the favor.”