By Glenn Rolfe

SELBYVILLE – Tragedy struck the Selbyville Volunteer Fire Company Friday afternoon as a 56-year-old member of the fire police died from injuries sustained when a fire police vehicle backed into her at the scene on an earlier motor vehicle crash.

The fire police member, identified by Selbyville Volunteer Fire Company as Laura Madara, was standing behind a Ford F-250 Selbyville fire police truck, operated by a 79-year-old Selbyville man, when she was struck, according to Delaware State Police spokesman Cpl. Jason Hatchell.

The F-250 truck was backing up as the scene cleared, Cpl. Hatchell said. It had responded to assist with traffic control for a separate motor vehicle crash.

Ms. Madara was transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center where she was pronounced dead, DSP said.

The fatal incident occurred around 1 p.m. Friday on Polly Branch Road just north of Lighthouse Road, the scene of the earlier vehicle crash.

Polly Branch Road was closed for approximately two hours while the investigation was completed, and the roadway was cleared.

In a statement issued Friday by Selbyville Fire Chief Travis Timmons and Selbyville Fire Company President Matt Sliwa, Station 88 announced: “It is with our deepest and sincere regret to announce the untimely passing of Fire Police/Ladies Auxiliary President Laura Madara. Laura was fatally injured while operating on the scene of a vehicle crash this afternoon.  We ask that you keep the Madara Family, the Selbyville Fire Company and all of those that loved Laura in your thoughts and prayers.”

News of the tragedy spurred waves of condolences and prayers for family and fire service on the Selbyville Volunteer Fire Company Facebook page.

The crash remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit.