Source: United Fire Brigade Association of New Zealand
Fire brigade members throughout New Zealand are mourning the death of a 17 year old volunteer firefighter.
Kieran O'Hanlon had been a member of the Morrinsville Volunteer Fire Brigade for just under nine months.
On Saturday afternoon (NZ time) Kieran and another firefighter responded in the brigade's tanker to assist at a grass fire on the outskirts of Hamilton. Morrinsville, a small country town, is close to Hamilton, New Zealand's fourth largest city.
En route to the call the vehicle crashed through a fence and rolled down a steep bank, seriously injuring both firefighters, who were rescued and taken to a hospital intensive care unit in Hamilton.
Kieran died of his injuries the following day. His funeral will be held on Wednesday 22 March at 1.30pm at the Morrinsville Fire Station. He will be accorded a full Fire Service funeral.
His companion, Kevan Hickey, who was driving the tanker remains in a serious condition in hospital. He is described as a highly competent firefighter who has spent six years in the Morrinsville Brigade and was a member of an industrial brigade prior to that.
An investigation by the Police and New Zealand Fire Service is underway. Members of the Morrinsville brigade are receiving assistance from a Critical Incident Support team.
The Executive Director of the United Fire Brigades' Association, Don Roper, said that the tragedy had shocked all members of the service in New Zealand. A number of brigades and individuals have contacted the Association asking how they could leave expressions of sympathy to the brigade and the dead firefighter's family. The Association has set up an e-mail address for such a purpose. It is morrinsville@ufba.org.nz
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