By FireRescue1 Staff
WHISPERING PINES, N.C. — A volunteer fire lieutenant died Tuesday after complaining of a headache at the end of a shift.
U.S. Fire Administration reported that Lt. Donald “Reid” Key II, 31, with the Whispering Pines Fire Rescue Department, was dispatched to an automatic fire alarm on Dec. 25. Lt. Key responded, but the call was cancelled upon arrival by a chief who confirmed the alarm was accidental.
Upon returning to the station, Lt. Key assisted crews with washing, cleaning equipment and repacking hose. Later that evening after returning home, he complained of a headache.
On Dec. 26, his headache worsened and his wife drove him to a hospital. After being evaluated, Lt. Key was airlifted to another hospital. He died on Dec. 27. The nature and cause of his fatal injury is pending.
Lt. Key had served with the department for four years. He leaves behind his wife and two children.