After a long night helping tornado victims in Enid, four Langston firefighters were injured Thursday when their vehicle crashed on the way home, leaving the tight-knit Logan County town stunned. Chief Bobby Anderson is still in the intensive care unit, while three other firefighters were treated for injuries.
According to KOCO, the injured firefighters are Chief Bobby Anderson, Assistant Chief Brian Orndorf, Captain Jay Bartles and firefighter Eric Abrams. Capt. Robert Rogers told KOCO the department is asking for “continued prayers” for Anderson and the crew as they recover. KOCO also reported that a GoFundMe has been created to help the chief’s family while he remains hospitalized.
Crash Reported On Logan County Highway
AOL, republishing a KFOR account, reported the wreck happened near State Highway 74 and E0640 Road in Logan County when a semi‑truck made contact with the Langston Fire Department vehicle. Early descriptions differ on whether the semi side-swiped the truck or hit it head-on as the crew returned from Enid. Authorities had not released detailed investigative findings at the time of publication.
Enid Tornado Context
The National Weather Service Norman office gave the Enid tornado a preliminary EF-4 rating and reported about 10 injuries in its damage survey, noting the storm cut a multi-mile path and damaged dozens of homes. That level of destruction helps explain why mutual aid calls drew volunteer crews from surrounding communities, including Langston, to assist with searches and recovery. The NWS emphasized that the survey is preliminary and could change as teams complete their work.
Community Response And Next Steps
Langston Mayor Misty Mayes called the crash “heartbreaking” for both the families and the town, and residents have rallied around the volunteer department, KOCO reported. Organizers are pointing neighbors to the donation link mentioned in the KOCO coverage as the family begins what could be a long recovery. Officials in Logan County and those on scene said they plan to provide updates as the investigation continues and hospital information is released.
