NEW SOUTH WALES, Australia — A volunteer firefighter died Thursday while en route to a house fire.
9news reported that Captain Rudolph Peter Witton, with the Rural Fire Service (RFS), was on his way to a house fire with crew members when he appeared to go into shock.
Firefighters pulled the truck over and took Capt. Witton onto the roadside to help him.
“He was still breathing but was very pale,” RFS Northern Rivers Superintendent Michael Brett said. “An ambulance came and he went into cardiac arrest.”
Capt. Witton, who has volunteered with the RFS since 1978, died a short time later in hospital.
He leaves behind a wife and son.
“The volunteer had been attached to the Kyogle Rural Fire Service since 1978, selflessly dedicating his life to make sure the community was safe,” NSW Emergency Services Minister Stuart Ayres said. “On behalf of the people of NSW our thoughts and condolences are tonight with the volunteer firefighter’s family and friends.”