Trending Topics

Del. firefighter-EMT dies while helping at crash scene

The firefighter had stopped to render aid at an MVC near Georgetown

sussexcountydepartmentofpublicsafety.jpg

Thomas Wilson Berry III.

Sussex County Department of Public Safety/Facebook

By Bill Carey
EMS1

GEORGETOWN, Del. — The Delaware State Police confirmed that a volunteer firefighter/EMT died on Aug. 13 after responding to a crash on Route 9 near Georgetown.

According to Sussex County officials, 23-year-old Thomas Wilson Berry III stopped to help a driver after a crash, WBOC reported.

While offering his assistance, FirefighterCloseCalls.com reported that Berry came in contact with downed electrical lines that led to his loss of life; however, official sources have not provided a cause of death.

Sussex County officials described Berry as a “young public servant with a promising career.” Since 2022, he had worked as a logistics technician for the county’s EMS provider and served as a volunteer firefighter/EMT with the Georgetown and Ellendale fire companies, DelawareOnline reported.

“We are beyond heartbroken at this loss of such a dedicated and caring young man who exemplified public service until his last moments on this earth, his selfless act in a moment of need is one that will be long remembered by his friends and colleagues and by all of us at County government,” Sussex County Council President Michael H. Vincent said. “As tragic as this loss of life is, his heroism is something we should all be proud of and thankful for, and we hold his family, co-workers, and all his brothers and sisters in the fire service in our hearts and prayers in this most difficult time.”

Trending
The woman, whose truck struck and killed two people at the Stryker Sports Complex, was released pending toxicology results and a mechanical inspection as police continue interviewing more than 30 witnesses
Officials said a fire believed to be contained suddenly shifted a kilometer in 36 seconds, overtaking soldiers conducting live-fire combat training at a base in Alberta, leaving 19 people in critical condition among 39 total injured
Two adults and a child aboard a 1968 Cessna registered to a San Jose State flight club were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries after the plane went down near Capitol Expressway
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s new law raises the annual personal income tax credit from $200 to $800 starting in 2027, as volunteer ranks statewide hit a 40-year low, falling from 120,000 in 2000 to 80,000 today