Fallen Firefighter Thomas Royds To Be Honored Wednesday

BALA CYNWYD, PA — Firefighter Thomas Royds of the Union Fire Association of Bala Cynwyd was killed in the line of duty one year ago.

And the fire company and others are planning to honor the late firefighter Wednesday evening.

Royds, 48, died after being struck at about 3:23 a.m. on July 24, 2021, at mile marker 335 on Interstate 76 west.

The longtime firefighter went into cardiac arrest at the scene and was taken to Paoli Hospital, where he later died.

At Wednesday's event, which will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Union Fire Association, 149 Montgomery Ave. in Bala Cynwyd, Royds will be posthumously promoted to from Lieutenant to Captain by Chief James Hornung.

Several more honors will be announced for Royds' legacy, including a bronze plaque dedication to be placed prominently in the front of Union Fire Association.

There will also be a reading of General Assembly of Pennsylvania House Bill No. 1560, designating the portion of Interstate 76 from mile marker 334.5 to mile marker 335.5 in Lower Merion Township as the Firefighter Thomas Royds Memorial Highway.