Casey Skudin and family.Photo: FDNY Foundation/Facebook
Casey Skudin, a 16-year veteran of the department and an FDNY Medal recipient, died on Friday, leaving behind a wife and two children, the FDNY Foundationwrotein a statement.
“Our entire family was involved in a freak accident in Asheville, NC where a tree fell on our SUV on day 2 of a family vacation,” his wife Angelawrotein a heartbreaking social media post.
Angela shared that she and their oldest son “made it out with only a few scratches,” while their youngest son was “hospitalized with mild injuries.”
Speaking with CBS New York, Angela said that after she was able to escape the vehicle through a shattered window, she “immediately went over to Casey.““His hands were blue, and I knew he gone,” she told the outlet. “I just kissed both of his hands and just told him he was the best thing that ever happened to me.”
The “tragic accident” took place “during a weather event” at the Biltmore Estate, Biltmore staff said in astatement.
Biltmore Estate spokesperson Marissa Jamison told theCitizen Timesthat an investigation is underway.
“You are so very loved and so missed,” Angela wrote on social media. “Our family will be healing for eternity.”
“My sweet bear I thank you for choosing me to be the love of your life..right now I’m not sure how but with the love of this community we will move forward,” she added.
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“You went to heaven too soon in this tragic unthinkable accident, leaving behind tears and pain for so many,” read thetribute. “You were the Rock to your wife Angela and two sons Ben and CJ. Our hearts are broken just thinking of the journey ahead without you but please know Long Beach loves you.”
Skudin, who worked with Ladder 137 in the Rockaway area of Queens, was awarded the Fire Chiefs Association Memorial Medal in 2010 after helping save a surfer who was trapped under water during a storm, according toNBC New York.
“The FDNY and FDNY Foundation send our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Firefighter Skudin,” they wrote in a statement. “We will never forget his service and dedication to the FDNY and the City of New York.”
source: people.com
