Michael Sims, 38, Suffered Massive Head Injuries
Updated: Thursday, November 4, 1999 - 1 PM
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DAVE J. IANNONE
Firehouse.Com News
A 38-year-old volunteer firefighter with the Highland Hose Company in Tarentum, Pennsylvania
died early Wednesday morning following a fall from a fire truck while responding to
an automatic alarm call, police said.
Michael Sims, a 21-year-veteran, was part of a crew that was dispatched shortly after
7 p.m. Tuesday night, November 2, to an automatic alarm call at the Weleski
Storage Comapny in East Deer Township. Sims was riding in the front-facing
bucket seat on the passenger side of a 1965 open-cab Mack ladder truck, Tarentum Police
Chief David Sieber said.
"As the truck made a left turn less just about 50 yards from the station, [Sims]
was ejected from the seat," Sieber said. Sims' helmet came off and it was not clear
whether he had been belted or what other protective gear he was wearing at the time.
"No one witnessed him fall until he hit the street," Sieber said. "He fell from
the truck and that's where we are in the investigation."
"[Sims] was not struck by the truck, but his injuries were very critical," he said.
Sims was airlifted to Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, about 20 miles away from
the Alleghany County town. He was pronounced dead a few hours later, police said.
Sims was a past president of the fire company and five of his relatives, including
his father, also volunteer there.
The accident reconstruction team from the Alleghany County Police is investigation
the details surrounding Sims' death.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 6, at the First United
Presbyterian Church in Tarentum.
Contributions in Sims' name may be made to the Highland Hose Company, 401 East Eighth Ave.,
Tarentum, Pennsylvania 15084.
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