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Ohio volunteer firefighter dies after fall from apparatus

The Columbus Dispatch
Copyright 2007 The Columbus Dispatch
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MECHANICSBURG, Ohio — A volunteer firefighter died when he fell off a fire engine after battling a blaze last night in this Champaign County town, authorities said.

Jon Trainer, 38, was still in his fire pants and boots at 9:07 p.m. when he fell from the top of the truck at the Mechanicsburg Fire Station, Chief Gary Shonkwiler said early this morning.

The volunteer department had just returned from a house fire that took two hours to put out, Shonkwiler said, and Trainer had been reloading hose.

He was taken to Mercy Medical Center in Urbana, where he was pronounced dead late last night.

Trainer has been a firefighter since December 2005.

“It’s real difficult right now,” the chief said, describing Trainer as an excellent firefighter.

Funeral arrangements are pending.