|
Dr. John Echternach |
Monday, July 2, 2012
By K.A. WAGONER - Staff Writer
A Boones Mill firefighter has died of injuries he sustained in the line of duty during Friday night's windstorm.
Dr. John L. Echternach Jr., 54, died just after midnight Monday after having been critically injured when a tree fell on him during the storm, according to Public Safety Director Daryl Hatcher.
Echternach was on his way to the fire department to answer at call when he was stopped on U.S. 220 by a tree blocking the roadway, Hatcher said. He walked up the highway to help other motorists move the tree when another tree broke and fell on him.
He was found by another volunteer who was responding to the same call, Hatcher said.
"We are still in shock," Hatcher said. "He was one of the most active volunteers with the Boones Mill department. The fact that he was out in the middle of the storm speaks to his nature."
"He was a selfless person, who died providing a service to the residents of the county," Hatcher added.
Echternach was a physical therapist and had been a volunteer with the Boones Mill Volunteer Fire Department since June 2003, Hatcher said.
The memorial service is set for Saturday, July 7 at Franklin Heights Baptist Church at 10 a.m. |
| |
