HARTSHORNE, Okla. — Update: Two emergency responders and an event volunteer are dead following two separate incidents at the ‘H-Town Throw Down’ racing event in Hartshorne over the weekend, according to McAlester/Pittsburg County Emergency Management.
“Our hearts are broken for the families, friends and fellow responders affected by this unimaginable loss,” said Leonard Baughman, the McAlester/Pittsburg County Emergency Management Director. “These individuals gave themselves in service to our community, and their sacrifice will be felt across all of Pittsburg County.”
McAlester/Pittsburg County Emergency Management confirmed two emergency responders, identified as Jim McCoy and Clint Lawrence, were hit and killed by a car that went off the strip during a race on Saturday.
McCoy served as the chief of the Alderson Fire Department for eight years. Lawrence was an officer with the Haileyville Police Department and had recently finished his CLEET Academy training two months prior.
Officials also confirmed an event volunteer, identified as Justin Faulkner, died during a separate incident on Friday evening while helping set up for the event. Justin was a former firefighter and the husband of Hartshorne Mayor Ashley Faulkner.
Services are still being arranged and will be held separately, per the families’ requests.
McAlester/Pittsburg County Emergency Management extended its condolences to the families and its gratitude to all the agencies that responded to this tragedy.
A GoFundMe was created by the community for the families of all three men who sadly passed away. If you’re interested in donating to the families, click here.
Two emergency responders and another person are dead after the H-Town Throw Down in Hartshorne this weekend, according to McAlester Pittsburg County Emergency Management.
They say 2 emergency responders died after a crash on Saturday.
“Our hearts are broken for the families, friends, and fellow responders affected by this unimaginable loss,” said Leonard Baughman, the McAlester Pittsburg County Emergency Management Director. “These individuals gave themselves in service to our community, and their sacrifice will be felt across all of Pittsburg County.”
The organization said another person had previously passed away on Friday while preparing for the event.
The McAlester/Pittsburg County Emergency Management said they’re not releasing the names of those involved at this time out of respect for their families.
