Paul Birk, 35, of Burna was responding to the fire about 12:30 p.m., Friday when the accident occurred. He was operating his personal pickup, a 1995 Chevrolet 1500, with emergency lights and siren active. While negotiating an east bound curve on U.S. 60, Birk attempted to pass a slowing vehicle he was overtaking. The fireman did not immediately observe the approach of a west bound vehicle, and attempted to cross back into the east bound lane.
Birk ran off the right shoulder of the highway, missing both vehicles and over corrected. His pickup continued across the roadway and ran off the west bound shoulder. Continuing down an embankment, the pickup struck a tree, rotated and crossed a deep ravine, according to state police.
The truck then struck a second tree before coming to rest.
Birk was trapped inside the vehicle and subsequently extricated by Smithland and Burna Volunteer Fire Departments. He was flown to St. Mary's Hospital in Evansville in serious condition.
Crittenden County volunteer firemen responded to help fight the field fire.
