1999 10/28 IN Brian Burnett & Robert Ulrich

Incident Name:
Date: Incident: 10/28/1999; Captain Ulrich died on 11/4/1999; Firefighter Burnett died on 1/22/2000.
Personnel: 2 lives lost
Age:
Agency/Organization: Scipio Township Volunteer Fire Dept, Laporte IN
Position:

Summary:

Brian K Burnett, 23
Robert Charles Ulrich, 57, captain

Firefighter Burnett and Captain Ulrich were responding in a tanker (tender) to the report of a brush fire, Firefighter Burnett was driving. Firefighter Burnett failed to negotiate a curve in the road, the apparatus left the road and crossed into a corn field, where it rolled several times. Firefighter Burnett was ejected from the vehicle, the vehicle rolled on top of him. Captain Ulrich was trapped in the tanker, which was on its roof, until he was extricated by other firefighters. Both firefighters were transported to the hospital.

Captain Ulrich died on November 4, 1999. He had been released from the intensive care unit to a regular hospital floor. Captain Ulrich was seemingly well and recovering from his injuries. He was discovered pulseless and non responsive, emergency care was provided but not successful. The autopsy concluded that Captain Ulrich died of a cardiac arrhythmia. It is not known if the cardiac problems were related to the collision. Captain Ulrich did have some health factors that contribute to cardiac disease. Captain Ulrich was wearing his seat belt at the time of the collision.

Firefighter Burnett died on January 22, 2000. He was making a slow recovery. The family had been told that he might be home in a week or so but that he would need further therapy. No cause of death for Firefighter Burnett is available. Firefighter Burnett was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the collision.

Maps

Scipio Township Volunteer Fire Dept, Laporte IN

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