By FireRescue1 Staff
ROBBINSVILLE, N.C. — A Montana firefighter, who was part of a firefighting crew battling the Maple Springs wildfire in North Carolina, died Nov. 30 after he was found dead in his hotel room.
KRTV.com reported that firefighter Darryl Elden Vielle, 51, was part of an eight-member Blackfeet crew that was battling the wildfire, which has burned more than 7,700 acres.
CPR was administered by emergency personnel, but officials said Vielle likely died several hours earlier prior to the discovery. An autopsy will be conducted to determine his cause of death.
“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 was a 31-year fire service veteran.