Volunteer fire officer dies at emergency

A long-serving Rangiora local volunteer fire officer collapsed and died while responding to a call-out last night.

Operational support officer Ken Brougham, 60, died shortly after 9pm at the Rangiora Volunteer Fire Station as a crew responded to a call in Loburn, the Fire Service said.

Attempts to resuscitate Mr Brougham failed and a health and safety investigation and police inquiry will be carried out.

The station's chief fire officer Ross Ditmer said Mr Brougham's death would hit the brigade and community hard.

"Ken was not just another firefighter. He was part of our brigade's extended family -- a family he made his own and entrusted not only with his own life, but those of his two sons as well," Mr Ditmer said.

Mr Brougham joined the Rangiora brigade in 1964 and retired from active fire fighting in 1986, staying on as a support officer.

His sons, Neil and Paul, both later joined the brigade.

Mr Brougham was believed to be the first Rangiora firefighter to die during service in the brigade's 132 years in the Waimakariri District.

- NZPA