BLAINE, Minn. – Two of Baraga’s Beartown Firefighters died in a Saturday crash on Interstate 35W near Minneapolis.

Alan J. Swartz, 25, and 23-year-old James F. Shelifoe Jr. were killed in a truck carrying seven other members of Keweenaw Bay Indian Community’s Beartown Firefighters while en route to fight the Box Canyon wildfire in Utah.

The other seven in the vehicle were injured but are expected to recover, the KBIC said Saturday.

According to the Associated Press, authorities said the accident happened when the truck hit a median and rolled over at about 3 p.m. Saturday. Authorities had to close the highway in both directions, detouring traffic to off-ramps.

“The truck left the roadway for an unknown reason, struck the median cable barriers and rolled,” according to a statement from the Minnesota State Patrol.

“The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community is devastated, and our hearts go out to the families and those injured,” the KBIC stated in a press release on Sunday. “Much of the details regarding the accident are still unknown, and we are working and cooperating with authorities to better understand what occurred.

“We do know that the other passengers involved – Ross J. Jaukkuri, Michael A. Johnson, Joseph A. Jossens, Gavin C. Loonsfoot, Shashaywin D. Sandman-Shelifoe, Tyler J. Tolonen and David R. Varline – are expected to recover,” the release said. “Unfortunately, their specific conditions are unavailable at this time.

“There were 11 other firefighters en route to the same fire. They were traveling in a convoy and had become separated for a brief time. Those firefighters are understandably shaken and are getting much needed support from local agencies.”

Counseling was available at the tribal center Sunday and is expected to continue, although a schedule has yet to be announced for future sessions, the KBIC said.

However, the tribe is collecting donations to help all the firefighters and their families.

Fill the Boot campaigns will be from 1 to 6 p.m. today in the parking lot of the tribe’s Eagle Radio Station and at the L’Anse Fire Hall to raise funds for the firefighters affected by the accident.

The Chassell Fire Department will host a “Fill the Boot” in front of the firehall from 4 to 8 p.m. today.

In addition, the Arvon Fire Department will have a boot at the Finn’s in Skanee and the Covington Fire Department will have a boot at The Hardwood Steakhouse in Covington.

The Minnesota State Patrol identified the driver as Michael Johnson, St. Paul’s KTSP channel ABC 5 reported.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.