Next month marks the passing of a Chesterfield Fire and EMS department recruit who fell ill while running and later died. Fire officials still have questions about the death and await the findings from a NIOSH investigation.
TyVaughan Eldridge, 25, was on a two-mile run when he collapsed July 1, 2021. Two days later, he succumbed to his injuries.
"He was so young and in good health, so it definitely came as a surprise to us," Fire Chief Chief Loy Senter told WTVR.com.
The medical examiner said Eldridge died from hyperthermia.
Senter said no policies were broken during the training.
The fire department conducted an internal report which lead to some changes, including chase vans carrying EMS equipment during physical training, and more evaluations of firefighters.
The NIOSH firefighter death investigation team is still conducting their investigation.
