Memphis, Tennessee Firefighter Dies While Driving Firetruck
Shortly after 11 a.m. David O'Conner, driving Engine 7 west on St. Paul, collapsed, sending the fire engine onto the sidewalk, MFD Deputy Director Alvin Benson said.
Lt. Kenneth Lepard jumped over the console, grabbed the wheel and steered it clear of a fence, Benson said. It's unclear how fast the engine was moving.
Firefighters were unable to revive O'Conner, Benson said. He was pronounced dead at Methodist University Hospital.
O'Conner had been with the department nine years. He was on the A shift, which started at 7 a.m. Wednesday. Firefighters on his shift at Fire Station 7, at Jefferson and Pauline, were sent home Wednesday.
"It's just absolutely traumatic for us every time we lose a fellow firefighter," Benson said.
Flags at fire stations across the city were lowered to half staff.
Officials didn't release the cause of death, and funeral arrangements were incomplete.
His family requests that any donations be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
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