1960: Fire Engine 1 Involved in Fatal Accident

November 21, 1960

In 1958 the Department elected James France as Fire Chief, Walter Foster as Assistant Chief, and Paul Swope as Secretary-Treasurer. On November 21, 1960 the department’s first engine was involved in a fatal accident on Highway 41 and Hillsdale. The truck was responding to a fire on Booneville-New Harmony Rd when they approached the intersection on 41. They began to clear the intersection when a motor vehicle collided with the side of the fire engine. One passenger in the car passed away and one member in the truck sustained minor injuries. The Evansville Fire Department leaned out a 1930 Open-Air Beyer to help while the department worked to replace the Engine.