IN Firefighter Dies after Experiencing Chest Pains at Call

An Indianapolis firefighter died Saturday after experiencing chest pains during a call the previous day.

Engineer Matthew D. Bennett, 49, was part of the department's response to a structural collapse shortly before 10 a.m. Friday after a car had driven into a home and through the garage on Indianapolis' northeast side, according to the department. As crews worked at the scene, Bennett began complaining of chest pains.

Medics began treating him in a City of Lawrence ambulance, and he then was taken to Heart Hospital at Community Hospital North. Bennett was immediately taken into surgery, but he passed away Saturday surrounded by his family.

About a half hour after firefighters arrived, a Lawrence ambulance took Bennett to Community Hospital North, where he was immediately taken into surgery.

He died Saturday afternoon.

Further information about Bennett's death was not immediately available, but Battalion Chief Rita Reith said information about his funeral would be provided "pending the family's wishes."

Bennett is survived by his wife, daughter, step-daughter, step-son and three grandchildren, according to IFD. He was a public servant for 38 years, working throughout his career as a reserve firefighter, an EMT, a dispatcher and an engineer.

"Please keep Matt, his family and his IFD family in your thoughts as we all grieve his unexpected loss," Reith wrote in a news release.

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