A small Missouri town is mourning the tragic loss of 16-year-old volunteer firefighter Chevy Gall, who was killed while rushing to a water rescue call over the weekend.
Gall, a dedicated member of the Beaufort-Leslie Fire Protection District, lost his life Saturday afternoon around 4:15 p.m. in a devastating vehicle crash. According to officials, the teen was en route to assist with a reported water rescue when his vehicle collided head-on with a cargo van on Highway 50, just east of MO-185 near Beaufort… a tight-knit community of fewer than 2,000 residents.
Emergency crews arrived swiftly, and Gall was transported to Mercy Washington Hospital with critical injuries. Tragically, he was later pronounced dead.
“Tonight is a fire chief’s worst nightmare,” said Fire Chief Terry Feth in a somber statement. “We are devastated by the loss of one of our own. Chevy died doing what he loved… helping others. Our department, and our entire community, is heartbroken.”
Authorities believe the crash may have been influenced by heavy rainfall in the area. Flash flood warnings had been issued the day prior, and although water levels had started to recede by the time of the accident, conditions remained hazardous. The cause of the collision is still under investigation.
The driver of the cargo van, a 30-year-old man, was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Gall’s untimely death has shaken the Beaufort community, especially as his family was already grieving the recent loss of multiple relatives in another tragic accident. The Chief Mason Griffith Foundation, a nonprofit supporting first responders, confirmed Gall’s death and shared that he leaves behind grieving parents and two siblings.
“In a heartbreaking twist of fate, Chevy was taken from us far too soon,” the foundation said in a statement. “This unimaginable tragedy has left a deep void in our hearts and our community.”
In a powerful show of unity and respect, an American flag was raised over the I-270 overpass on Sunday, where emergency vehicles from across the region lined the highway for a dignified procession as Gall’s body was transferred to Washington, Missouri.
Supporters and residents have begun organizing donations to help the Gall family navigate this time of immense grief.
