LODD Ghent FD, Columbia County

[HFD3004 1]

Date: 10/19/2010

Time:21:11

Location: Intersection of NYS Route 66 and Water St T/Ghent Columbia County

Frequency: 46.50, 155.295, 155.430

Units Operating: Ghent & Chatham FD's, Chatham Rescue Squad, Columbia County Sheriff's Office

Weather Conditions: Clear, Cool

Description Of Incident:

A firefighter died in a crash on Route 66 while responding to an emergency call Tuesday night, the Columbia County Sheriff's Office says.

According to Sheriff David Harrison, Jr., 52-year-old William Akin, a member of the Ghent Fire Company, was responding to an accident his fire company had been dispatched to in his personal vehicle, a 2001 GMC pick-up truck.

While driving toward the scene, Akin struck a utility pole at the intersection of Route 66 and Water Street, says Sheriff Harrison. Power lines and part of the power pole crashed down on top of Akin's vehicle.

Akin was extricated from the pick-up truck by members of the Ghent Fire Company and the Chatham Fire Department and was taken to Columbia Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to Sheriff Harrison.

There were no other injuries, and no one else was in the vehicle with Akin at the time of the accident, said Sheriff Harrison.

Investigators are still looking into why Akin ran off of Route 66, including the possibility of a medical problem.

The crash caused a power outage in the Ghent and Mellenville area; NYSEG crews are on the scene working to restore power, said Sheriff Harrison.

An autopsy on Akin's body will be conducted later Wednesday at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany.

The original call for the accident Akin was responding to turned out to be less serious, according to Sheriff Harrison.

Funeral Service and other updates will be provided when available. Please post rememberances only

Reporters/Writer:HFD3004 / Reposted from Media Release

Edited October 20, 2010 by HFD3004