23-year-old firefighter dies from injuries suffered in crash while responding to call
A funeral for the Malaga firefighter is set for Friday.
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A funeral is planned for a 23-year-old firefighter from Gloucester County who died of injuries he suffered in a motor vehicle crash while responding to a fire call late last month.
Probationary firefighter Robert “Bobby” Reider was heading north on Delsea Drive on June 27 when the crash occurred. The Malaga Fire Company, located in the Malaga section of Franklin Township, said some of the crews responding to the original call were diverted to the crash scene.
“While on location, crews had to extricate Bobby from his vehicle, and he was immediately airlifted to Cooper Hospital,” the fire department said on social media.
An obituary for Reider says he suffered “severe head and internal injuries.” He remained hospitalized until July 10, when the fire department says he succumbed to his injuries.
According to the Malaga Fire Company, Reider joined the department as a junior firefighter in 2018, when he was 16 years old. He completed training at Salem County Fire Academy in 2022.
“Year after year, Bobby had exemplary attendance at calls, drills and meetings. His heart and passion for community service was one of a kind,” the fire company posted.
Reider’s obituary states that he wanted to be a firefighter since he was a child and would often dress as one for Halloween. The obituary also thanked members of the fire company for “their exemplary display of true brotherhood” and for remaining by his side since the crash.
A viewing for Reider is set for Friday from 9 a.m. to noon at Clayton Baptist Church in Clayton, followed immediately by a funeral service at the same location.
