Burnt firefighter dies after three-week battle
Burnt firefighter dies after three-week battle
01 November 2012
published by www.watoday.com.au
Australia–– One of the firefighters badly burnt in a bushfire near Albany in October has died in hospital overnight.
Police confirmed that the 45-year-old woman, who had suffered burns to 60 per cent of her body died just after midnight on November 1.
Wendy Bearfoot, a wife and mother of three sons, was fighting a bushfire at Two Peoples Bay on October 12 when she was burnt.
It is understood that a sudden change in wind direction turned the fire on the truck carrying the two firefighters.
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The Department of Environment and Conservation’s director general Keiran McNamara said Mrs Bearfoot’s injuries were too great to overcome.
“On behalf of DEC, I offer my sincere condolences to Wendy’s family, loved ones, friends and workmates,” he said.
Mrs Bearfoot joined the then Department of Conservation and Land Management in 2003 as an Indigenous land management trainee and progressed through the roles of conservation employee, national park ranger and most recently overseer in the Albany District office.
“She loved the work she did and was highly valued and respected by all who knew her and had the privilege to work alongside her,” Mr McNamara said.
“This is a difficult period of grief and reflection for all WA firefighters and I ask that you honour Wendy’s courage in protecting the community and land she loved from bushfire.”
A 24-year-old firefighter who received burns to 40 per cent of her body remains in a stable condition at Royal Perth Hospital.
Albany Detectives and the Arson Squad are investigating the fire and a report will now be prepared for the Coroner.
