The procession for fallen firefighter John Forbush. (Credit: WV State Fire Marshals Office) SUTTON, W.Va. - An Ohio mother and child died in West Virginia after the woman intentionally drove her vehicle into a river – an incident that also resulted in the death of a young volunteer firefighter who tried to rescue them, officials have said.
Investigators have determined that LaTonya Bell careened her vehicle into the Elk River in Sutton, West Virginia around 2:30 p.m.
on Sunday, while she and 8-year-old Havana Pipkins were inside, state Fire Marshal officials announced earlier this week. Local affiliate FOX 11 identified the woman and child as mother and daughter from Cleveland, Ohio.
Gassaway Volunteer Firefighter John D. Forbush, 24, heard news of the emergency over the department radio feed and rushed to the scene, which was located roughly a mile from where he was at the time, marshals said.