A fire department recruit died yesterday after getting sick during training exercises, fire officials said.
Eric Allen, 23, of Temple Hills, died about 8:30 a.m., the day after he reported to the Training Academy to begin a series of physical tests to determine his admission to a recruit class.
After completing a stair-climbing exercise, Mr. Allen began having trouble breathing.
He was examined by a paramedic and then taken to Greater Southeast Community Hospital and later to Washington Hospital Center.
The fire department, D.C. police and the medical examiner are investigating.
Republished with permission of The Washington Times.
