2 Walnuttown firefighters killed while searching for missing woman in Berks County | Northern Berks County

RICHMOND TWP., Pa. – A tragic roadway accident took the lives of two Berks County firefighters Saturday, when the UTV vehicle they were driving was struck by a car.

According to Fleetwood police, at 5:57 p.m. Saturday multiple fire companies, Berks Search and Rescue and others were searching for a missing 60-year-old woman in the area of Kutztown Road in Richmond Township, just north of Route 662.

The Berks County Coroner says Walnuttown Fire Chief Jeffory L. Buck, of Maidencreek Township, and Walnuttown Assistant Fire Chief Robert R. Shick, Jr., also of Maidencreek, were in a UTV side-by-side vehicle traveling on the shoulder of Kutztown Road. A male driver of a Toyota Camry was also traveling south on Kutztown Road. Witnesses say that the Toyota Camry was swerving on the roadway and when it approached the firefighters, it traveled off the roadway and struck the UTV head on.

After the impact, the driver and passenger of the Toyota ran from the area and were apprehended on Krause Road not far from the scene according to police.

Officials say Chief Buck was transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest, where he later died as a result of his injuries. Assistant Chief Shick was transported to Reading Hospital, where he also succumbed to his injuries.

Autopsies for Chief Buck and Assistant Chief Shick are scheduled for Monday morning at the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office and Forensic Center.

Police say the investigation is ongoing.

The Walnuttown Fire Department Facebook page has more information on the accident.

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Officials say the accident happened Saturday just north of Route 662.