By FireRescue1 Staff
MISSOULA, Mont. — The body of a Montana firefighter was escorted back to his home state after he was found dead in North Carolina.
Darryl Elden Vielle, 51, was found dead in his hotel room Nov. 30; he was in North Carolina to help battle the Maple Springs wildfire. Responders performed CPR, but said he had been dead for hours, reported the Missoulian.
Upon his arrival, family, friends and colleagues waited for honor guards and U.S. Forest Service officials to lower Vielle’s casket out of the plane.
Vielle, a 31-year veteran, loved his work and community, the Blackfeet Tribe said in a press release.
“It’s good to have our brother home,” Kevin Kicking Woman said while performing a flag song during Vielle’s arrival.
He leaves behind his mother and four brothers.
“Throughout our history, members have stepped up in service to family, Tribe and country. Darryl is an example of that call to service and this unfortunate turn of events does not lessen his answering the call,” Blackfeet Tribal Chairman Harry Barnes said.
Vielle’s body will be taken to the city of Browning, where a wake will be held for him.