Volunteer firefighter collapses at crash scene, later dies after suffering medical emergency

LIBERTYTOWN, Md. (FOX 5 DC) -- A Frederick County volunteer firefighter who spent 50 years serving his community died Tuesday after he collapsed while responding to a car crash.

Michael Powers, 70, was a father and a grandfather.

He suffered a medical emergency at the scene of a fatal head-on crash on Maryland Route 26 just before 1 p.m. The crash left 22-year-old Kevin N. Tevelow, of New Windsor, dead, and two others injured, according to Maryland State Police.

Powers had been clearing debris from the crash scene when he collapsed. Libertytown Fire Chief Chip Jewell said the medical response was immediate, but Powers later died at the hospital.

Jewell said he's known Powers almost 50 years and described him as a jovial, kind person dedicated to serving his community.

"He was actually going to retire," said Jewell. "Think about slowing up. He took a few months off and missed it, decided to come back. He missed being a part of serving his community."

Powers was an active volunteer at the Libertytown Volunteer Fire Company for nearly 40 years and a volunteer in Frederick County for over 50 years.

Jewell says Powers' two daughters and their husbands are also volunteers for Frederick County Fire and Rescue.

Neighboring agencies took calls for the Libertytown Tuesday night so firefighters could gather to remember Powers. His locker as well as the engine he was on when he made his final call were draped with black bunting.

That engine was part of a procession that took Powers body to the medical examiner's office Tuesday evening.

On Wednesday evening, the Libertytown Volunteer Fire Company announced funeral arrangements for Powers.

Powers family will receive friends on Friday at the Libertytown Volunteer Fire Department from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 12027 South Street in Libertytown.

A Celebration of Life will follow on Saturday at 11 a.m. Burial will be held at Glade Cemetery.

The family is asking for memorial contributions to be made to: Libertytown Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. 33, Libertytown, MD 21762.