A Ghent, N.Y. firefighter died while responding to an emergency call on Tuesday, according to FireFighterCloseCalls.com.

Captain William Akin, 52, a member of the Ghent Volunteer Fire Company was responding to a car accident in his personal vehicle, a 2001 pick-up truck, when he struck a utility pole on Route 66.

Power lines and part of the pole came down on top of Akin’s truck. He was extricated by members of his own fire company and that Chatham Fire Department. He was pronounced dead at an areas hospital.

Authorities are investigating why Akin ran off the road, including whether Akin suffered a medical problem before the crash.

According to the US Fire Administration, Akin had more than 25 years of experience

Ghent is 16 miles northeast of Catskill and 10 miles off the Massachusetts border.

Sixty-five firefighters have died in the line of duty this year.

About The Author

John Guilfoil is the editor-in-chief of Blast: Boston's Online Magazine and the Blast Magazine Network. He can be reached at [email protected]. Tweet @johnguilfoil.

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