Thomas Royds Obituary – Death: Great Firefighter of Lower Merion Fire Department, Thomas Royds has died.
Royds died in the line of duty while operating at a car accident on the Schuylkill Expressway in Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County on July 24, 2021.
“I’ve had a really rough week. But just now I was stopped on 476 as Lower Merion firefighter Thomas Royds was escorted in a breathtaking yet heartbreaking procession to the funeral home. A hero, gone too soon. May he Rest In Peace and May his memory forever be a blessing to his family”
Royds passed away from injuries sustained in the accident. He was a father of three who truly loved his job. He had been a firefighter since 1988.
“Today members of the Swedesburg Volunteer Fire Company were honored to joined and assist in the procession for Firefighter Thomas Royds who was killed in the line of duty. Our thoughts and prayers are with FF Royds family and friends, the Lower Merion Fire Department, and all others effected.”
Below are the reactions from friends and other affected persons.
“At 18:02 hours this evening, the Montgomery County Emergency Communications Center made the following announcement over the 800 MHz radio system:
“The Lower Merion Fire Department deeply regrets to announce the Line of Duty Death of Firefighter Thomas Royds. Firefighter Royds responded to his last alarm on July 24, 2021, at 03:04 hours, on Interstate 76 in Lower Merion Township.
Firefighter Royds was operating at an accident with injuries. As units were preparing to leave the scene, an uninvolved vehicle struck three firefighters and one Pennsylvania State Trooper. Sadly, Firefighter Royds succumbed to his injuries.
Firefighter Royds has faithfully served the citizens of Lower Merion Township and Clifton Heights, Delaware County as a career and volunteer firefighter for over 30 years. He is survived by his children and siblings.
Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced when available.”
“Woman admits to drinking alcohol before I-76 crash that killed Firefighter Thomas Royds:”
“This morning the members of all three WCFD stations participated in the LODD procession from Paoli Hospital for fallen firefighter Thomas Royds.”
“Please join us in offering our condolences to our brothers and sisters at the Belmont Hills Fire Company (Lower Merion Fire Department) and Clifton Heights Fire Company on the loss of Thomas Royds who was killed in the line of duty operating at a motor vehicle accident this morning. Our thoughts go out to this Firefighter and the other injured Firefighters and State Trooper.
This is the second line of duty death the Lower Merion Fire Department has had in the last three weeks, please keep their personnel in your thoughts during this very difficult time.”
“I can’t tell you how many times we are up there, at a scene, and people are just flying by, not paying attention. I’m just begging people to just slow down.” Belmont Hills firefighter Thomas Royds was struck and killed by a drunk driver, police say, as he was on the side of I-76 responding to an accident. NBC10 Philadelphia at 6pm.”
“This morning, Tower 80 along with Tower 51 (Limerick Fire Department) and Engine 2 (Berwyn Fire Company) had the honor of displaying our Nation’s colors above the procession of fallen firefighter Thomas Royds of the Lower Merion Fire Department. Our thoughts, prayers and support continue to be with LMFD at this time.
Tomorrow, Squad 80 will cover an eight hour shift to provide additional fire suppression coverage in the Belmont Hills section of Lower Merion Township.”
“R.I.P Thomas Royds, the firefighter from LM who tragically lost his life by a drunk driver while he was already on scene at an accident on the Schuylkill Expressway. What a beautiful tribute in his honor by the local men and women in both fire service and law enforcement as he made his way from Paoli Hospital to the coroner’s office today. Prayers to his family!”
“It’s taken some thought and time to really think about what happened today. From being at work listening to it live and not knowing until I was told this morning you had passed Thomas Royds but it’s hard to believe people are here and can be gone in an instant. I had just talked to you a few days back about returning and how things were being a Captain.
All the memories, the jokes, the advice and wisdom you had when I was going through a tough time with relationships, my weight loss, and just life in general, I will never forget. From our conversations at dinner while hanging at the firehouse, to the idea of bringing a camper to watch NASCAR in person, to working out and losing weight together, from our little foot race where you “hurt” or pulled your hamstring, to simply being on the truck at calls with you, and to our little firehouse group that consisted of Miller, you, and myself, the brothers in big, you will be deeply missed.
You were larger than life, a fireman’s firefighter, and an outstanding person that was always fun and goofy but serious when needed to be. The years I spent working with you, from seeing you go from Engineer to Lieutenant and finally to Captain while myself and others went from Cadet to Junior to becoming full Senior qualified pack members. Till next time brother. Fir Na Tine”
“I’ve been thinking for hours about what to say because there are no words. My heart and soul are hurting. The loss of a brother firefighter is hard. But this one is harder. I had the honor of working with Thomas Royds. He was a great man. He died doing what he loved. He IS and will always be a friend and a brother. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Please for the love of God don’t drink and drive. Please don’t save 2 minutes and drive on the side of a jammed highway. You never know. My heart is broken for him and his family. God speed. I will see you again one day.”
“I’ve had a really rough week. But just now I was stopped on 476 as Lower Merion firefighter Thomas Royds was escorted in a breathtaking yet heartbreaking procession to the funeral home. A hero, gone too soon. May he Rest In Peace and May his memory forever be a blessing to his family”