South Jersey Woman, 21, Killed On Christmas On Way To Fight Fire

A 21-year-old woman was killed on Christmas Day while she was on her way to fight a fire in New Jersey, police and firefighters said.

Natalie N. Dempsey of Mays Landing was prounounced dead after she was hurt in a crash while on a fire call, according to police and firefighters.

The crash happened at approximately 6:19 a.m. when officers from the Hamilton Police Department responded to Landis Avenue, just west of Estelle Avenue, on a report of a single car motor vehicle crash.

Fire officials told nj.com that Dempsey, who was vice president of the Mizpah Fire Company, was headed to the firehouse to suit up and hop into a firetruck "as she had done so many times before."

Dempsey was operating a black 2001 Honda Accord westbound on Landis Avenue when she lost control of her vehicle and went off the roadway, striking a guardrail, police said.

Dempsey was pronounced dead at the scene. Assisting at the scene were the Mizpah and Mays Landing Fire Departments and the Hamilton Rescue Squad.

Fire companies paid tribute to Dempsey, saying their "hearts ache" for the young firefighter.

Mizpah Volunteer Fire Company Fire Co. photo