Fundraiser Launched For 2 Hurt Belmont Hills Firefighters

BALA CYNWYD, PA — Belmont Hills Fire Company is mourning the loss of firefighter Thomas Royds and at the same time is praying for speedy recovery of firefighters Alex Fischer and Sam Shaffer.

Fischer and Shaffer were hurt when Jacquelyn Walker, 63, of New Jersey, struck them, Royds, and a Pennsylvania State Trooper while responding to a crash on Interstate 76 in Lower Merion. Walker has been charged with vehicular homicide, DUI, involuntary manslaughter, and other crimes in connection with the crash, court records show.

Royds died following the crash.

>>>RELATED: Community Raising Money For Late Firefighter Tom Royds's Family<<<

Fischer and Shaffer were seriously hurt in the crash.

Now, a fundraiser has been launched to support the two in their recovery after they were flown to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center where they underwent surgery.

>>>RELATED: Funeral Arrangements Set For Fallen Firefighter Thomas Royds<<<

"Proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit both firefighters directly, with contributions split evenly between both," organizer Gianfranco Colella wrote on the GoFundMe campaign page for Fischer and Shaffer.

As of about 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, 16 people have generated $1,110.

"Firefighter Shaffer has been very active in firehouse activities for the past three years, he also plays lacrosse at his school and works as a lifeguard," the page reads. "Firefighter Fischer has been one of the fire company's most active members for the past 5 years as well as a member of neighboring Union Fire Association."