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Pennsylvania Fire-Policeman Killed Directing Traffic
PEGGY LEE
WNEP
Reprinted with Permission
Members of a volunteer fire company in Clinton County are mourning the sudden loss of one of their own. A fire policeman died Friday afternoon after being hit by a car while working at a crash scene near Mill Hall.
It was along a stretch of Lusk Run Road in Bald Eagle Township where 62-year old Donald Mellott was hit by a car.
Mellott, a fire policeman with the Woolrich Volunteer Fire Company, was directing traffic around a two-car crash just outside Mill Hall.
Investigators said that's when the driver of Subaru drove through the traffic cones and struck Mellott. He later died at the hospital.
"Any tragedy in the public safety community strikes everyone very hard, whether it's someone you're very close to or someone very far away because we're a special breed of people and we have certain concern and compassion for one another," said Kevin Fanning with the Clinton County Emergency Services.
Brandon Coleman, the fire chief for the Woolrich Volunteer Fire Company, called Mellott a close friend.
He said Mellott was a veteran fire policeman, always ready to respond to a call.
"Don was an excellent man to be with. He worked well, we worked well together through the fire police, in the fire company," said Coleman. He added it was Mellott who was responsible for establishing the fire policemen's association at the Woolrich Fire House. The association officially formed last November.
"Don was instrumental on helping me and being with me on getting that service started for Woolrich Volunteer Fire Company," said Coleman.
Overall, Coleman said, Mellott was a man who lived to serve his community.
"He never was afraid to help, whether he knew you or not, he was always there to help," said Coleman. "He was doing what he loved when this happened."
State police identify the driver of the car that hit Mellott as a 72-year-old man from Beech Creek.
So far, no charges have been filed.
The Woolrich Fire Chief says while no plans have been made at this time, the fire company hopes to hold a memorial for Donald Mellott.
Copyright © 2010, WNEP-TV
WNEP
Reprinted with Permission
Members of a volunteer fire company in Clinton County are mourning the sudden loss of one of their own. A fire policeman died Friday afternoon after being hit by a car while working at a crash scene near Mill Hall.
It was along a stretch of Lusk Run Road in Bald Eagle Township where 62-year old Donald Mellott was hit by a car.
Mellott, a fire policeman with the Woolrich Volunteer Fire Company, was directing traffic around a two-car crash just outside Mill Hall.
Investigators said that's when the driver of Subaru drove through the traffic cones and struck Mellott. He later died at the hospital.
"Any tragedy in the public safety community strikes everyone very hard, whether it's someone you're very close to or someone very far away because we're a special breed of people and we have certain concern and compassion for one another," said Kevin Fanning with the Clinton County Emergency Services.
Brandon Coleman, the fire chief for the Woolrich Volunteer Fire Company, called Mellott a close friend.
He said Mellott was a veteran fire policeman, always ready to respond to a call.
"Don was an excellent man to be with. He worked well, we worked well together through the fire police, in the fire company," said Coleman. He added it was Mellott who was responsible for establishing the fire policemen's association at the Woolrich Fire House. The association officially formed last November.
"Don was instrumental on helping me and being with me on getting that service started for Woolrich Volunteer Fire Company," said Coleman.
Overall, Coleman said, Mellott was a man who lived to serve his community.
"He never was afraid to help, whether he knew you or not, he was always there to help," said Coleman. "He was doing what he loved when this happened."
State police identify the driver of the car that hit Mellott as a 72-year-old man from Beech Creek.
So far, no charges have been filed.
The Woolrich Fire Chief says while no plans have been made at this time, the fire company hopes to hold a memorial for Donald Mellott.
Copyright © 2010, WNEP-TV
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by N. Stewart on
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Rest in peace brother- Fellow PA firefighter.
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Permalink Reply by Dennis Hiscock on
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many thoughts and prayers are extended from our fire station to the station here in this story....
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Permalink Reply by Norm Tindell on
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We are saddened by this tragedy. I believe more firefighters are killed on roads than in fires. May Officer Mellott rest in peace. From your brothers in Texas.
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Permalink Reply by Kathy D'Ambra on
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I have been doing fire police work here in NYS for over 25 years and I am so sad for our brother firefighter and his family but I hope and pray this driver is charged at least with manslaughter. We need to get really tough with these drivers who do not pay attention, or there will be more and more of us killed or injured. The driving public MUST be held accountable--this driver went thru cones--short of blocking access with the fire truck or putting down road spikes---I am really tired of the excuse--"Oh I didn't see you!!"
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Permalink Reply by John Rulli Jr. on
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RIP brother
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Permalink Reply by ALAN BARBEAU on
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REST IN PEACE BROTHER ,MY THOGHTS AND PRAYERS TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY,
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