MATTOON, Ill. (WAND) – It was 60 years ago, March 29, 1966, when a tragedy involving the Mattoon Fire Department left the community in mourning.
Two fire trucks from different stations, going to the same fire, collided at the intersection of Broadway and 15th Street. Eight firefighters were injured.
The driver of one truck, Robert “Bobby” DeMars, was killed when his truck rolled over, pinning him underneath. The second truck crashed into parked cars along busy Broadway, coming to a rest near the Time Theatre. Both trucks were total losses.
A marker is at the intersection and lists the names of the firefighters involved. A brick with the name of DeMars is located outside the Mattoon Public Library.
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