DICKERSON, Md. — A beloved 60-year-old Frederick County firefighter died Tuesday morning in a tractor accident on a farm in rural in Montgomery County, officials said.
When Drue Jones III didn't show up at 6 a.m. to work at the Vigilant Hose Company in Emmitsburg, the others on his shift requested a welfare check.
Both Montgomery County and Frederick County crews went to a farm where Jones was renting a house in the 23000 block of West Harris Road in Dickerson, about 40 miles northwest of Washington.
Crews searched the property and found Jones pinned under an overturned tractor down a deep ravine.
► JULY 2018: Firefighter dies after falling through floor of Maryland home
► FEBRUARY 2017: Maryland firefighter dies unexpectedly at firehouse
After crews were able to get to Jones, he was pronounced dead a little after 9 a.m. It was not immediately known how much time had passed since the tractor overturned.
"FCDFRS is deeply saddened to confirm the unexpected death of FF III Drue Jones as a result of a tractor accident and technical rescue incident in Montgomery County," officials said on Twitter.
Jones had been a member of Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue for 14 years. The Mont Alto, PA native was hunter, a grandfather and a rescuer who cared a lot about those he served, according to his Facebook posts.
Jones' son, Stephen Jones, followed his father into firefighting. He is a career firefighter with the Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue and the president of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 3666.
In an audio interview with WUSA9 reporter Scott Broom, the younger Jones said his dad was deeply devoted to this two granddaughters and was preparing to move from the farm to a home he had purchased nearer the grandchildren's home in Waynesboro, PA.
According to Stephen Jones, his father had been a machinist and volunteer firefighter for decades.
He decided to switch careers and become a professional firefighter at age 43 and was hired in Frederick County, MD.
"He was a larger than life person. He was that go-to guy," Stephen Jones said as other family members gathered at the farm where the accident happened.
"He's the sole reason I am where I am today as a career firefighter also," Jones said. "I grew up watching him go to fires and calls and helping his community and I followed in his footsteps."
