Heart Attack Claims Maine Firefighter During Fire Call

A longtime volunteer Mexico firefighter died Monday morning after suffering a medical emergency while responding to a Rumford fire call, police said.

According to a preliminary report, Harding Wentzell, 81, of Mexico suffered an apparent heart attack about 8:30 while driving on Route 2 toward Bridge Street, said investigating officer Mark Cayer.

Wentzell, the father of Mexico Fire Chief Gary Wentzell, was transported to Rumford Hospital by Med-Care Ambulance and later pronounced dead, said Med-Care Director Dean Milligan.