A firefighter has tragically died suddenly after collapsing unexpectedly while walking his dog.
British firefighter Lee Braidley dropped dead while off duty on Wednesday, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) announced.
The NFRS said in a statement:
“Tragically, Lee was pronounced dead at the scene.”
Braidley had served with South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service for 15 years before moving to Nottinghamshire.
In Nottinghamshire, he was based at Mansfield Fire Station, with White Watch.
“All our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues, who we will continue to support at this difficult time,” the NFRS statement added.
Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service is saddened to report the death of one of our own, Firefighter Lee Braidley.
Yesterday, whilst off duty, Lee was walking his dog and collapsed. Tragically, Lee was pronounced dead at the scene. pic.twitter.com/ScO1KjKuur
— Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (@nottsfire) October 17, 2024
While it’s unclear how old Braidley was when he died, online tributes from friends and family described him as a “young man.”
No cause of death has yet been made public.
Our support in Nottinghamshire's vaccination sites has now come to an end.
💉 Since we started supporting the COVID response programme we have administered 75,394 vaccines.
We'd like to thank our staff that have been involved 👏 #ReadyWillingAble pic.twitter.com/zMUOXNUUMz
— Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (@nottsfire) February 9, 2022
“Very sad,” said fellow firefighter Ben Illsey.
“Lee was a cracking bloke and a top FF.
“Fond memories of him in the early days at SYFR.
“Condolences to all his friends and family”
Mick Fong is an On-Call Firefighter at Worksop but is currently at Newark Showground supporting the COVID-19 vaccinations. Last week he delivered Newark's 100,000th vaccine. 👏#HereForYou #ReadyWillingAble pic.twitter.com/nzMqV8kAjy
— Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (@nottsfire) July 27, 2021
“This is such sad and shocking news,” Simon Glew said in a post on X.
“Lee was such a lovely man, one of the ‘good uns!!!’
“And a fantastic dedicated Firefighter.
“Such a sad loss to the world.
“My thoughts and condolences go to his family, friends and colleagues.”
Braidley previously hit the headlines in 2006 when he told how he was assaulted while he was responding to a call over a trash fire in South Yorkshire.
He was based at Mansfield Road Fire Station in Sheffield at the time and had been attending an incident in Arbourthorne.
At the time, he told how he was punched in the face by a young thug and pelted with bricks after the fire had been put out.
South Yorkshire Fire Service (SYFR) has also issued a tribute to Lee.
SYFR said in a statement:
“Lee was a valued colleague who served at South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue for many years.
“Our thoughts are with Lee’s colleagues and loved ones at this incredibly sad time.”
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