Southern Oaks VFD Hit by Vehicle Fatality 1998

Firefighter Hamilton was on the back step of a pumper as it was relocated at the scene of a brush fire. The pumper was backing up, Firefighter Hamilton was on the back step to secure hose that had been reloaded. As the pumper backed up, Firefighter Hamilton attempted to warn the driver about a utility pole that was behind the apparatus. He apparently lost his grip and was crushed between the pumper and the pole. His right leg was amputated below the knee. Despite the efforts of local EMS providers, Firefighter Hamilton died of hypovolemic shock (loss of blood).