Volunteer NH Firefighter Killed In 'Freak Accident' Identified
WEARE, N.H. (CBS) – A volunteer New Hampshire firefighter killed when a tree fell on top of his pickup truck was identified Wednesday.
Derek Lankowski, a 31-year-old Lyndeborough firefighter, died in what the department called a "freak accident" Tuesday afternoon.
"It was a shock to all of us," said Rescue Chief Don Cole, who added that Lankowski's death is a "great loss to this department."
Lankowski was driving his pickup truck south on Route 114 in Weare when winds toppled a large tree. The tree crushed Lankowski's truck and he was declared dead at the scene.
No one else was inside the pickup at the time of the incident.
"I can't even wrap my head around it. If it was a split second either which way, if there was a road delay, anything, this wouldn't have happened," Fire Chief Brian Smith said.
Lyndeborough Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Berkebilie described Lankowski as "the type of guy that would do anything for anyone."
On Wednesday morning, members of the department changed the sign at the fire station to say "Lost brother but not forgotten."
Later in the day, black and purple bunting was draped on the front of the fire house.
A procession of fire trucks and police cruisers joined the hearse that brought Lankowski's body through Hillsborough County and to the funeral home on Wednesday morning.
Funeral plans for Lankowski have not yet been announced.
"Every time he walked into the station or a call, he lit up the atmosphere. I think that's what we're going to miss the most," Cole said.
"He will be sorely missed here."
An online fundraising page has been created to benefit Lankowski's family. In the first two hours after the page was created, nearly $1,000 was donated.
