Incident Name: a fire in the Francis Beidler Forest (Horseford Ranger District), a preserve in the Four Holes Swamp, SC managed by the Audubon Society. It contains is the largest remaining stand of virgin Bald Cypress and Tupelo Gum swamp forest remaining anywhere in the world.
Date: 3/10/13, 1630 hours
Personnel: Michael Louis Broz of Ridgeville
Age: 58
Agency/Organization: Dorchester Rural Fire Department
Position: firefighter, safety officer
Summary: On 3/10/13, about 4:30, Michael Broz was in his pickup responding to a brush fire in the Francis Beidler Forest. He was traveling on Horseford Road in Ridgeville when his truck went off the road and struck a tree. He died on scene. The cause of the accident remains under investigation. Broz was wearing his seat belt.
Maps
Approximate location, Horseford Road in Ridgeville, SC
{mosmap lat=’33.085998’|lon=’-80.393754’|marker=’0’|text=’Horseford Road in Ridgeville, SC’}
Reports, Documentation, Lessons Learned
- USFA Memorial Database: Michael L Broz
Wildlandfire.com Links:
Media Articles and Reports
- Ridgeville firefighter dies in accident while responding to fire3/10/13 | Online Article with video
State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal accident in Dorchester County. At around 4:30 Sunday afternoon, a truck was traveling on Horseford Road in Ridgeville when it went off the road, struck a tree and killed the driver. The driver is identified as 58-year-old Michael Louis Broz of Ridgeville… (More at the link.)
Photos, Videos, & Tributes
Francis Beidler Forest Manager Norman Brunswig thanks Michael Broz and other responders
Photo credit: counton2, Charleston SC
Contributors to this article: Mellie, RJM
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