A South Dakota volunteer firefighter died Wednesday after suffering a medical emergency while responding to a wildland fire.
Argyle firefighter Dwain Hudson was en route to a Custer County wildfire just after 12:30 p.m. when he experienced the emergency, a release from the fire department stated. He was a passenger in one of the department vehicles responding to the fire, which was nearly 10 miles south of Jewel Cave National Monument in the Black Hills National Forest, according to an online update posted by Custer County Emergency Management.
Hudson's fellow firefighters, as well as members of Argyle's EMS unit, immediately tried to resuscitate Hudson while they waited for an ambulance to arrive. Hudson was taken to Custer Regional Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, the department said.
"The Hudson Family and the Argyle Fire Department wish to extend their appreciation for the support they have and are receiving during this difficult time," the emergency management department stated.
Details about the nature of Hudson's medical emergency were not given by fire department or emergency management officials. But according to the Custer County Chronicle, Hudson suffered an apparent heart attack.
Funeral arrangements are still pending, the department said.
