ELM CITY, N.C. — A firefighter died Tuesday after becoming ill following a training exercise.
U.S. Fire Administration reported that James Varnell, 53, with the Bakertown Volunteer Fire Department, was preparing to leave the training event when he became ill. Fellow firefighters came to his aid with basic life support measures.
As more assistance arrived, advanced life support was provided and Varnell was transported to a hospital. He later succumbed to a nature and cause of injury still to be determined.
He was a 20-year fire service veteran.