Firehouse.Com News
The nation is mourning the loss of a Missouri firefighter who collapsed
at the scene of a brush fire and a Texas paramedic who died in an accident.
Comrades are continuing to pray for a second medic critically injured in the Texas
crash and for a South Carolina fire captain who sustained serious burns in a
fire over the weekend.
Robert Pollar, a 64-year-old volunteer firefighter with the Southern Stone County
Fire Protection District in Kimberling City, Missouri, collapsing at the scene of a brush
fire on Dec. 31. He died the following dayfrom a cerebral bleed, the United States
Fire Administration reported.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Cheter Ray Pierce, a 27-year-old paramedic with private ambulance service Medic One in
Corpus Christi, Texas was killed and paramedic Laura Maxwell, 27, was critically injured
Saturday after a collision with a tractor-trailer.
Police said the accident happened in heavy fog and that the unit was not responding
to a call at the time.
The cause of the accident was under investigation and no charges had immediately
been filed. Further details will be posted when available. An update on Maxwell's
condition was not immediately available Monday evening.
A Columbia, South Carolina fire captain was seriously burned while battling a house
fire on Saturday.
Robert C. Rabon, 31, was upgraded from critical to stable condition Monday, his
wife told Firehouse.Com News.
The 12-year veteran suffered second- and third-degree burns to his body, primarily
his head, face, neck and upper chest when a ceiling collapsed on him.
Well wishes can be sent in his name to Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital, Columbia, S.c.
29201.
A second firefighter suffered less serious injuries. The fire caused some $500,000 damage
to the apartment builiding, the State reported.
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