By FireRescue1 Staff
LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. — Family, friends and colleagues are mourning the death of a firefighter who died Friday while on duty.
WISTV.com reported that Lexington County Fire Service firefighter Paul Quattlebaum was killed after he was hit by an 18-wheeler while attempting to help car crash victims on the side of the road.
Quattlebaum and his crew were responding to a medical call when they saw a car crash, according to the report. While firefighters were stopped to check on the victims, a semi-truck struck Quattlebaum. Lexington County EMS transported him to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.
“If he ever saw anybody in need, family or not, he was going to help them,” Erin Gunter, Quattlebaum’s first cousin, said. “He was the brother that I never had.”
Quattlebaum, who began his career as a volunteer firefighter, was a 22-year fire service veteran. He was promoted to fire engineer in 2002 and also served as a ride-up captain from Oct. 2017 to March 2018, according to the report.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is currently investigating the fatal crash.
“I think he’s going to be remembered as the person as he was,” Gunter said. “A kind, gentle soul, and he will never be forgotten.”
A visitation will be held at Barr-Price Funeral Home Batesburg-Leesville Chapel on Monday, Oct. 7 from 5-8 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 4 p.m. at B-L High School Fire Arts Center.
The visitation and funeral service are open to the public.
https://www.facebook.com/CountyofLexington/photos/a.1070028593061636/2596160283781785/?type=3