Photo by: NBC2
A cadet with the Fort Myers Fire Department died from heat exhaustion after a training session on Tuesday.
Fire officials identified the victim as a 22-year-old man named Nathaniel Wilcox.
According to reports, Wilcox showed no signs of heat exhaustion during training. He was described as a muscular guy and passed the initial physical exam.
Witnesses at the training session said they noticed signs of a problem after the training concluded and immediately rendered aid.
Chief McMillion says Wilcox indicated he needed help after completing the test, so they started aid before rushing him to the hospital.
The test is conducted indoors and outdoors, with a 10-minute cutoff time.
Firefighters say Wilcox was a college grad and football player at South Carolina State University. He was also a member of Omega Phi and was known as a very loving and enthusiastic person.
Wilcox applied for the fire department with a 3-minute video where firefighters say his smile shined and he had a passion for joining the force.
The City of Fort Myers is making Wilcox a firefighter, as they want him to accomplish his dream.
The fire department is grieving and says they will make changes to the test moving forward.
“Fort Myers Fire Department is in shock and awe and grieving along with the family of one of our firefighter applicants who unfortunately died yesterday after he completed his physical assessment evaluation with the city of Fort Myers due to medical complication at a local hospital, a whole department is in shock. We’re grieving. We’re trying to get through this as well as the family is,” McMillion said.
Wilcox’s family is requesting an autopsy.
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Source: wesh
