Fire Service Line of Duty Deaths
May 3, 1938 - LODD
Captain Joseph Tracy, 44 Engine 48
Fireman James F. Hughes, 42 Engine 48
FDNY. Bronx, New York
While responding to an alarm, Rescue 3 and Engine 48 were involved in a major collision. An explosion and fire resulted, destroying Rescue 3's rig and Engine 48's pumper. Both men were killed in the collision.
Captain Joseph A. Tracy and Fireman James F. Hughes, both of Engine 48, died from the injuries they received in a collision with Rescue 3. At 1:15 in the morning Engine 48 was responding to a fire at East 183rd Street and Grand Avenue. Rescue 3 was responding to an ammonia leak at 196th Street and Valentine Avenue. At 188th Street and Valentine Avenue, Rescue 3 broadsided Engine 48. The collision was so violent that the body was ripped from the frame with the gasoline exploding and setting Engine 48 on fire. All the firemen were thrown from both rigs with all the members of Engine 48 being seriously injured. Captain Tracy, Firemen Hughes, Joseph Brady and Edward Slovack all received fractured skulls and other injuries. Both Tracy and Hughes died several hours later at Fordham Hospital. (From "The Last Alarm" by Boucher, Urbanowicz & Melahn, 2007)
RIP. Never forget.
