Elwood fire chief killed in crash during response to fire

Justin Norris, the driver of the vehicle, is currently at the hospital in stable condition.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A fatality crash on Highway 283 killed one Thursday afternoon during the response to the large fire southeast of Elwood, Nebraska State Patrol says.

Both vehicles involved were assisting in the fire response.

A Ford Expedition was struck head-on by a truck hauling water, about 8 miles north of Arapahoe around 5:10 p.m.

The Expedition was driven by Phelps County Emergency Manager Justin Norris and had passenger Darren Krull, chief of the Elwood Volunteer Fire Department.

Chief Krull, 54, of Elwood, died at the scene, said NSP.

Norris, 40, of Holdrege, was transported to the hospital in Cambridge with life-threatening injuries.  He was then transferred to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney in stable condition.  He has since been transferred to a hospital in Omaha.  As of this morning, he is in stable condition.

The driver of the water truck, Andries Van Aswegan, 28, of Arapahoe, was not injured in the crash, said NSP.  At the time of the crash, fire and smoke in the area had created zero-visibility conditions on the roadway.

“Our hearts are with all involved in this tragic crash, as well as those affected by the fire,” said Col. John Bolduc, superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “Please keep the firefighters, farmers, emergency managers, law enforcement officers, volunteers, and all others involved in this fire response in your thoughts today.”

The crash is still under investigation.