ASHTABULA, Ohio - A retired fire chief performing in a live nativity scene outside a northeast Ohio church assisted injured spectators after a pickup truck crashed into the small audience, killing one person.
Norman Jepson, a former Ashtabula fire chief dressed as one of the Three Wise Men, said he checked the injured and called for help. As many as six people may have been injured in the Wednesday night accident outside Trinity Presbyterian Church, said police Sergeant Ronald Kaydo.
Jepson said a car struck a pickup truck and the truck crashed into people watching the performance, pinning a 57-year-old man against a utility pole. That man died later at a hospital in Cleveland.
Jepson said his back was to the audience when he heard a bang, which he thought was a fender-bender. But within moments, a truck was on the sidewalk, he said. Police are investigating the accident.
In Louisville, Ky., on Christmas morning, two children died in a fire that destroyed a house.
Major Henry Ott of the Louisville Metro Arson Squad said the children were 10 and 12 years old. Their grandparents were injured. Fire officials said three firefighters were also hurt battling the blaze.
The children’s parents and grandparents had escaped and were trying to rescue the children when firefighters arrived. The grandfather was hospitalized in intensive care and the grandmother was being evaluated for cuts and smoke inhalation.
