MADISON, N.C. (WGHP) — The Huntsville Volunteer Fire Department is mourning the loss of one of their own after a firefighter died of injuries he sustained in a car crash on Wednesday morning.

At about 3 a.m.. on Wednesday, Rockingham County 911 received a report of a crash in the area of U.S. 220 South and Simpson Road.

At the scene, first responders from the Huntsville Fire Department immediately discovered that the crash involved an off-duty member of the fire department, Stephen Hampton Jr.

Hampton is a four-year veteran of the Huntsville Fire Department. His father-in-law and brother-in-law are also members of the Huntsville Fire Department.

“This is a profound loss to the Huntsville Fire Department and to everyone who had the privilege of knowing Stephen,” said Chief J.B. Colley in a statement.

Huntsville fire posted the following on Facebook:

It’s with a heavy heart, that we inform you of the unexpected death of one of our fireman. He passed away this morning from injuries sustained in a wreck, we ask that you please keep this person’s family and all of his fire family in your prayers during this very difficult time.

Rockingham County posted video showing a procession of first responders escorting the firefighter’s body from Annie Penn Hospital to the funeral home.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the firefighter’s loved ones, colleagues, and all who knew and served alongside them,” the county said. “May you find strength and comfort in each other during this incredibly difficult time.”

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is the lead investigating agency in the crash.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Around 5:45 Sunday morning, Greensboro Police, Fire, and Guilford County EMS were all called to a crash with injuries at the US-29 North/Phillips Avenue overpass.

First responders say they found Yordy Ortiz-Cabreja, 26, of Greensboro, dead from crash-related injuries.

Early investigation has shown that Ortiz-Cabreja was driving north on US-29 in a BMW, went off road to the right, and struck the shoulder guardrail and bridge.

Greensboro Police continue to investigate this crash.

Anyone with more details should call Greensboro/Guilford Crime Stoppers at 336-373-1000.

The group of retired firefighters and police officers brought 25K pounds of supplies on the final trip.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Like a life-saving grocery store on wheels, a group of retired Greensboro firefighters and police officers have made a habit of transporting much-needed supplies to some of the places hit hardest by Hurricane Helene.

“I felt like God wanted us to continue helping our fellow North Carolinians,” said Tim Gibbs, a retired Greensboro firefighter.

And boy, have they. Since Helene hit nine months ago, the group has made dozens of trips out west. It’s been an emotional and important mission, especially in the cold winter months.

“There were people who passed away in their tents and things that happened, so we were trying to give them what they needed to help them stay alive,” Gibbs said.

This week was their 26th and final trip. Along with a handful of others, Gibbs has led much of the effort.

“We’re called to serve others, and when you spend a lifetime in fire and police and others serving other people, it’s a passion, it’s not a job to us,” Gibbs said.

That passion has grown over the past nine months. “This trip alone was almost 25,000 pounds of supplies.”

Trip #26 was their biggest yet, with donation stops in six communities. Appalachian Disaster Coalition documented the trip.

“To have 18 people go on this one, which is the most we’ve ever had,” Gibbs said. “We had the most equipment and trailers, and trucks we’ve ever had. We were excited, and we had a lot of motivated people who were just thankful to be able to be a part of it.”

Safe to say, the people receiving the donations are even more thankful.

“They are the most humble and most resilient and strong people I’ve personally ever been exposed to on a greater scale,” Gibbs said.

Leaving after each trip has been a challenge, knowing they’re coming home to normal life.

“It’s hard to leave and come back to this world,” Gibbs admitted. “I almost feel guilty. There’s almost a sense of guilt as if you’re abandoning them every single time, and this is the way it was every trip, 26 times.”

Making this final trek has been the most difficult for Gibbs and his team. “It’s been hard to let go. I’ve struggled. I have certainly struggled with it.”

They’ve made many friendships along the way, so saying goodbye has been tough.

“They hold hands with you,” Gibbs recalled, getting emotional as he thought back to those moments. “They just hug you and they tell you how much they love you.”

They’re still processing the emotions that have come along with their mission. Gibbs knows it’s been worth it.

“They’re so thankful, and you know that you’ve done what you could do up to this point, so I’m at peace with that,” Gibbs said.

‘You don’t always hear all of the good news stories in our community’

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — If you know a hero, why not help share their story so they can get the credit they might not seek, but definitely deserve?

The Piedmont Triad chapter of the American Red Cross is extending the nomination deadline for its 2025 Salute to Heroes awards. It was April 30 but now it is May 9. You can find the nomination form here.

The program is now in its 13th year and seeks to honor local first responders, veterans, active members of the military, and ordinary citizens who have shown extraordinary bravery and selflessness in the face of adversity.

Once the nomination period closes, the selection committee will notify the winners. WXII 12 News will spend the summer putting together profile stories on each of the winners, which will air on TV and during the awards ceremony itself, which is in September, though the exact date and location are still to be determined.

“You don’t always hear all of the good news stories in our community. Sometimes you get to see the opposite side of it, so it’s great to see these things surface and see what heroes we actually have in our community,” said Eddie Bowling, selection committee chair.

The committee has received several dozen nominations so far but still needs more, especially in two categories — emergency communications and active duty military.

“I think if we had military bases closer to our area in the eleven counties that may prompt additional folks to think that they need to nominate someone for this award,” Bowling said.

Last year, the Red Cross posthumously recognized a Greensboro Police Sergeant who gave his life trying to stop a crime in progress, three fire departments in Randolph County that worked together to save a woman after an unusual and dangerous car crash, a small business owner in Davidson County who saved his neighbor’s life by performing CPR, two people who happened to stop on the highway to check on a burning car and pulled the unconscious driver out of it, an Army veteran who works tirelessly on behalf of other veterans in Davidson County, and a Red Cross volunteer who has spent decades volunteering with the organization and has a passion for keeping families safe.

To learn more about the rules, criteria, and how the process works, click here.

First responders from everywhere are in western North Carolina lending a helping hand during a difficult time for those affected.

LANSING, North Carolina — Throughout the last week, first responders from across our state and our country have been helping with rescues and recovery.

This includes Triad agencies like the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough Jr. was out in Buncombe County earlier this week.

He said seeing people cry as their homes and livelihoods float down the river is something that has kept him up at night.

“I had seen pictures, but the pictures don’t do it any good, you can smell death in places because you can’t get to the bodies,” Kimbrough said.

The death and destruction brought on by Helene is something many say they’ve never seen. Sheriff Kimbrough said he could smell it as soon as he got to western NC.

Firefighters describe scary scenes; people will flood water all the way up to their necks, and flooded cars flipped over with people stranded inside. Situations they never thought they’d find themselves in.

Those types of stories take a toll on the many first responders in western NC as they’re working around the clock since the storm tore through the area.

Luckily, other first responders from all across the country descended on western NC to help.

Firefighters in the area say this is what they’re born to do. Rushing into action to save lives during the deadliest storm this area has ever seen.

Many roads in western NC are still closed down, cutting off access to some smaller mountain towns, but that’s not stopping first responders. Many of them are being airlifted in to help.