JACKSON COUNTY – A Kansas firefighter died in an accident just before 5p.m. on Wednesday in Jackson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Peterbilt tanker truck from the Hoyt Fire Department traveling to the Jackson County Fair and driven by Michael L. Schultz, 47, Hoyt, was northbound on U.S.75 just south of 174th Road.

The truck blew a tire, left the roadway to the left and crossed the median, traveled across the southbound lanes of traffic, struck the embankment and overturned.

Schultz and a passenger Randy Rae Smith, 36, Mayetta, were transported to Stormont Vail where Schultz died.

They were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.