New York City firefighter plunges to death from overpass

Firefighter Steven Pollard died after falling from an overpass. Photo / New York City Fire Department

A New York City firefighter responding to a car accident in Brooklyn fell from an overpass and died at a hospital.

In statement on the Fire Department's Facebook page Monday morning, Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro and Mayor Bill de Blasio identified the probationary firefighter as Steven H. Pollard.

"It's an incredibly sad night for the Pollard family, for the Fire Department family, and for our city," Nigro said. "He lost his life tonight in the process of helping others."

A gap separates the twin spans of the Mill Basin Bridge where firefighter as Steven Pollard fell to his death trying to assist at a car crash. Photo / AP

Ladder Company 170 in Brooklyn was called to the two-car accident on the Belt Parkway around 10pm on Sunday, Nigro said.

As the firefighters were going to help the victims, Pollard slipped through a gap in the roadway and fell about 16m to the ground. He was pronounced dead at Kings County Hospital.

The entire #NYPD sends its condolences to the family, friends & colleagues of the @FDNY firefighter who died tonight after falling from the Mill Basin overpass while working the scene of a vehicle collision on the Belt Parkway in #Brooklyn. #NYC will never forget your sacrifice. pic.twitter.com/MmbuTzOi9k

— Commissioner Shea (@NYPDShea) January 7, 2019

Pollard is the 1151st member of the FDNY to die in the line of duty, the statement said. He comes from a family of firefighters including his father, Ray Pollard, of Ladder 102 in Brooklyn, and his brother Ray Pollard Jr., who is a member of Ladder Company 114. Survivors also include his mother.

Police Commissioner James O'Neill tweeted early Monday that his department sends its condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the firefighter who fell Sunday night. "#NYC will never forget your sacrifice," the tweet read.

De Blasio and O'Neill went to the hospital after the accident.

"This is a family who has done so much for New York City and now they're going through this loss and this pain," de Blasio said. "It's a very, very tough situation."

- AP