Montreat, North Carolina — Tragedy Strikes During Firefighter Training Exercise: One Firefighter Dead, Two Injured
Montreat, NC — A routine training exercise turned tragic on Saturday, June 14, as an accident involving an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) claimed the life of one firefighter and left two others injured in Buncombe County. The incident, which occurred during a scheduled training session near Montreat, has shaken the tight-knit firefighting community and cast a somber shadow over the Riceville Volunteer Fire Department.
In a solemn news release issued Saturday evening, Buncombe County officials and the Riceville Volunteer Fire Department confirmed that the fatal incident occurred during a departmental training exercise. Members of the department were operating an ATV in a rugged area near Montreat when the vehicle was involved in a serious accident. Emergency responders from multiple agencies, including fellow firefighters who were present at the scene, acted swiftly to render aid. Tragically, despite their immediate and valiant efforts, one firefighter succumbed to injuries sustained in the accident.
Two additional members of the Riceville Volunteer Fire Department were injured in the crash and transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation and treatment. Their conditions have not been disclosed at this time.
Authorities have not yet released the names of the deceased or injured firefighters, as efforts are still underway to notify their families and ensure privacy during this devastating time. Officials have also urged the public and members of the media to avoid the training site area, citing ongoing emergency operations and an active investigation into the cause of the crash. The North Carolina Highway Patrol is currently leading the investigation, with assistance from Montreat Police and other first responders.
Earlier in the day, Montreat Police confirmed a large emergency presence near Montreat College, identifying the situation as a fatal ATV crash connected to a firefighter training exercise. The presence of emergency vehicles and responders prompted concern among residents and students, many of whom later learned of the tragic loss through official statements.
In their statement, the Riceville Volunteer Fire Department expressed deep sorrow over the loss of their fellow firefighter.
“It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts that the Riceville Volunteer Fire Department announces a line-of-duty death. Our department is devastated by this loss and stands in solidarity with the family and loved ones of our fallen firefighter,” the statement read.
“We ask for the community’s thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time, and we appreciate the support we’ve received from neighboring departments and agencies.”
The fallen firefighter was participating in the exercise as part of ongoing preparedness efforts, a standard practice among volunteer fire departments that often train under difficult and real-world conditions to better serve their communities. While these exercises are essential, they are not without risk—a reality now underscored by this heartbreaking incident.
The Riceville Volunteer Fire Department, like many small-town emergency agencies, is comprised of men and women who serve with courage, selflessness, and an unwavering commitment to protecting their neighbors. The loss of even one of their own under such circumstances is a devastating blow that ripples far beyond the department itself—affecting families, friends, fellow responders, and the broader community.
Buncombe County officials have pledged full support for the department and the grieving families, noting that additional information, including funeral arrangements and opportunities for public expressions of support, will be released in the coming days.
In the meantime, an outpouring of sympathy has already begun across the region. Local leaders, fire departments from neighboring jurisdictions, and community members have all expressed their condolences, recognizing the sacrifice made by the fallen firefighter and offering prayers for the recovery of the injured.
As investigations continue into what caused the tragic accident, the community of Montreat—and Buncombe County as a whole—mourns the life lost in service and the pain endured by those who risk everything to keep others safe. The firefighter who died on Saturday will be honored not only as a public servant but as a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
May their memory be eternal, and may their fellow firefighters find strength in unity as they continue their noble mission.