KENLY, N.C. — A volunteer firefighter suffered a heart attack and died while responding to a vehicle crash Saturday.
WNCN.com reported that John Morris Davis Jr., 45, with the Kenly Fire Department, was among fire crews who responded to the crash. An SUV was pinned against a light pole, trapping the driver inside the vehicle.
Davis was treated on scene by EMS and was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
“He just wanted to help people, whether it was helping people at the fire station or helping the public,” Assistant Fire Chief Tim Little said. “It’s a shock and I think we’re still in shock. And obviously sometimes it doesn’t seem like it’s real. But we know it is.”
Davis first volunteered at the department in 2003 while he was also a police officer. Neighboring departments are responding to calls while crews mourn Davis’ death.
“The brotherhood stretches not just here in Johnston County but all the state of North Carolina and throughout the nation, anytime a tragedy like this happens,” Antioch Fire Chief Kendall Hocutt said.
Davis is survived by his wife and three children.
Visitation will be Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Kenley Fire Station. Davis’ funeral will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Kenly Funeral Home.