A New York firefighter lost his life after a fall as he was attempting to save injured motorists in a flipped car.
The 30-year-old probationary firefighter with Ladder Company 170 fell to the ground below the Belt Parkway’s Mill Basin drawbridge in Brooklyn on Sunday as he tried to reach trapped occupants of a car, the New York Post reported.
Steven Pollard was reportedly crossing over from the eastbound lanes to the westbound lanes when he fell 52 feet through a gap in the road that he may not have known was there, according to the Post. The recently rebuilt bridge now features a 2.5 to 3-foot wide space between each side of the highway.
“It’s a very sad night here in our city,” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a press briefing Monday, adding that Pollard “was trying to do such a good and important thing and it’s just really painful to see him as we did in the hospital room.”
It is with deep regret that @NYCMayor Bill de Blasio and FDNY Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro announce the death of Probationary Firefighter Steven H. Pollard. Read more: https://t.co/zed7Wc4rvi pic.twitter.com/K71VacIigp
— FDNY (@FDNY) January 7, 2019
Pollard had only been on the job for less than two years and came from a family of firefighters, including his father, retired fireman Ray Pollard with 31 years of service and his brother Ray Pollard Jr. who works at a different Brooklyn station has been with the department 11 years, according to WABC-TV.
“What makes this even more painful is this is a family that’s served our city for decades,” de Blasio said. “[Pollard] devoted his life to the people of our city, like his brother, like his dad.”
Mayor de Blasio and Commissioner Nigro hold a press conference at Kings County Hospital. Earlier this evening an @FDNY firefighter lost his life during a rescue effort in Brooklyn. Please keep his family, loved ones and fellow firefighters in your thoughts and prayers tonight. pic.twitter.com/P33iklC91n
— NYC Mayor’s Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) January 7, 2019
Pollard was pronounced dead at Kings County Hospital where members of his family and company gathered at the news of the tragic accident.
The scene here at Ladder 170 in Canarsie where @FDNY firefighter Steven Pollard was based. The 30 year old died last night after falling off bridge while trying to help at scene of car accident #1010WINS pic.twitter.com/lTEGyyD6rG
— glenn schuck (@glennschuck) January 7, 2019
His death marked the second in a year for the FDNY and is the 1,151 member of the department to die in the line of duty, according to a statement by fire commissioner Daniel Nigro.
“It’s an incredibly sad night for the Pollard family, for the Fire Department family, for our city,” Nigro said. “One and a half years on the job, Steven Pollard had, just starting out, [ended] his life tonight in the process of helping others.”
I’ve ordered flags throughout the five boroughs to fly at half staff in honor of the courage and sacrifice of @FDNY Firefighter Steven H. Pollard. https://t.co/Ph3nDjYeCb
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) January 7, 2019
The mayor has ordered flags to be lowered throughout New York City to honor Pollard.
Condolences poured in from lawmakers and citizens alike.
We woke up today to the awful news that @FDNY firefighter Steven Pollard died in the line of duty in Brooklyn last night. May God bless him, his family, and his fellow firefighters.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) January 7, 2019
The entire #NYPD sends its condolences to the family, friends & colleagues of the @FDNY firefighter who died tonight after falling from the Mill Basin overpass while working the scene of a vehicle collision on the Belt Parkway in #Brooklyn. #NYC will never forget your sacrifice. pic.twitter.com/MmbuTzOi9k
— Commissioner O’Neill (@NYPDONeill) January 7, 2019
My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Firefighter Steven Pollard and the entire @FDNY. Steven courageously worked everyday to protect our City and today all of New York City mourns his loss. https://t.co/U8sIArWycg
— NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) January 7, 2019
The members of @MidwayFireResQ send our thoughts and prayers to the Men and Women of @FDNY and to the family of Firefighter Steven Pollard who tragically lost his life in the Line of Duty yesterday during a Rescue. #RestEasy
— Midway Fire Rescue (@MidwayFireResQ) January 7, 2019
RIP
— Stable_Hidden_Genius (@AparnaDahanukar) January 7, 2019
I was a volunteer firefighter/EMT for 4 years. @FDNY is one of the toughest, most dangerous, and most grueling jobs in the world without question. I salute you, Steven, and all the rest. https://t.co/PVZxnUNFED
— Eric Palmieri (@LibertyEricRI) January 7, 2019
Yesterday, we lost a brother – and this city lost a hero. Firefighter Steven H. Pollard died tragically while responding to a vehicle collision in Brooklyn. We stand with our @FDNY family & all New Yorkers as we mourn this terrible loss. Fidelis Ad Mortem. pic.twitter.com/dt0NfwsSlh
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) January 7, 2019
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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