BERLIN, Conn. — A Wethersfield firefighter died after a utility vehicle rollover crash in the woods of Meriden Tuesday, according to Berlin Fire Chief John Massirio.
Meriden police identified the Wethersfield firefighter as 66-year-old Robert Sharkevich Sr., who was also a former Hartford firefighter.
The crash was reported at 5:35 p.m. at the south end of the Lamentation Mountain where four firefighters were assisting with battling the brush fire, believed to have originated in Berlin, police said.
Based on a preliminary investigation, police said they learned that the UTV was driving along a "steep rocky incline" while responding to the brush fire when it rolled over onto Sharkevich.
Three other firefighters had non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to local hospitals.
The Meriden Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit in partnership with the Meriden Detective Division Evidence Identification Unit is handling the investigation, assisted by the Midstate Accident Reconstruction Unit.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact lead investigator William White at wwhite@meridenct.gov or 203-630-6201.
"The Meriden Police Department extends our deepest condolences and gratitude to Robert Sharkevich's family, Chief Brian Schroll, the Wethersfield Fire Department and the entire firefighting community on your loss," police said.
DEEP is operating a small team on Lamentation Mountain to check on the fire lines and is bringing in additional resources for the night.
Firefighters' operational period at the fire will be cut short around midnight, Massirio said.
Massirio said a procession is planned for the firefighter and that the fire department will be offering a stress debriefing to affected firefighters.
He noted that he knew the fallen firefighter for "quite some time," and that his death "affects everybody here."
"The friendships run deep here, and there's long lasting relationships between these people, so we're a tight knit family. It's definitely felt throughout the surrounding towns, it's not just a Wethersfield thing or a Berlin thing, Newington, we're a family and it affects everybody here," Massirio said.
Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement, "My heart breaks learning the news that a Wethersfield firefighter died in the line of duty responding to the brush fire in Berlin. Firefighters go above and beyond to protect our communities. My prayers are with his family and colleagues at this devastating time."
State Sen. Matt Lesser said that his "heart aches for the Wethersfield Fire Department and for all Connecticut firefighters."
"I will never not be in awe of people who put themselves at risk to keep the rest of us safe," Lesser said.
State Comptroller Sean Scanlon sent his "thoughts and prayers for the firefighter killed this afternoon in Berlin."
"A somber reminder that our first responders put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe," Scanlon said.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to this page for updates.
RELATED:
---
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Stream Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.