A Phoenicia firefighter collapsed and died Saturday while involved in a search for a hiker.
Firefighter and Fire Commissioner Michael J. Ryan was part of a team that had hiked about a half-mile into the woods near Panther Mountain in Shandaken.
After suffering an apparent heart attack, Ryan's colleagues immediately tried to revive him. But their efforts were fruitless, The Overlook reported.
Ryan retired from Kingston Police Department after 25 years of service. Since then, he has been the training officer at the Town of Ulster Police Department.
No funeral arrangements have been announced.
His death came a week after a fellow firefighter was seriously injured in a vehicle crash.
Capt. Kristofer Craig remains in a coma.
“This is a huge blow to our community. Between Mike and Kris, Shandaken emergency workers are stricken on multiple fronts,” ,” said Barbara Mansfield, the incoming town supervisor.
About the Author
Susan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.