Veteran Pompano Beach firefighter William “Bill” Elliott, 50, died Friday after falling approximately 100 feet from the top of a ladder truck during a training exercise, according to a report from Sun Sentinel News and WSVN News.
The exercise, which included four other firefighters, took place behind Fire Station 61 at approximately 4:20 p.m. The other firefighters witnessed the fall, including one who stood on the ladder behind Elliott during the exercise.
The report indicates that this was the first time a Pompano Beach firefighter has died in the line of duty. Elliot had no wife or children and had been with the department since 1989.
In the report, Fire Rescue Chief Harry Small was quoted to say,“In order to do this type of work, which is very dangerous, you have to train a lot on your aerial units because that’s risky stuff to begin with.Training is a part of our lives and there’s a number of firefighter fatalities annually in the United States from training exercises. It’s sad but true.”
Read more about this incident HERE.
Video report provided courtesy of WSVN News
