Dozens of family members, firefighters and hospital staff lined the hallway of UofL Hospital Aug. 26 to honor a fallen firefighter as he made one last effort to save lives by donating his organs to those in need.
The hospital served as the background for an honor walk for Raywick Fire Department Lt. Brian Hatt, who died after being involved in a crash Aug. 22 while responding to a call for service.
According to a news release from the Kentucky State Police, Hatt was driving a tanker truck along KY 537 in Marion County to assist the Loretto Fire Department when the vehicle dropped off the right side of the highway, causing the edge of the road to collapse. Hatt lost control of the vehicle, crossed the roadway and hit an embankment before he was ejected from the truck. A second firefighter traveling in the vehicle — Leonard Winkler, 58 — became trapped following the accident.
Hatt was flown by helicopter to UofL Hospital with life-threatening injuries but died Aug 25.
Winkler was flown to the University of Kentucky Hospital in Lexington with serious injuries, but an update on his condition was not made available Aug. 26.
Raywick is a home-rule class city in Marion County, located roughly 20 miles south of Bardstown.
A veteran, Hatt served 12 years in the U.S. Army before spending 12 years as a volunteer firefighter for the department.
In a statement, Raywick Fire Chief Herman Riggs said Hatt was like family to all the members of the squad.
“His legacy of service and sacrifice will live on in the department and in the hearts of the community he so selflessly served,” he said.
Raywick Fire spokesperson Michael Wright said Hatt was someone the department could always depend on.
“Brian was always the person who answered the call no matter the time of day, no matter the hour,” he said.
Members of Louisville Fire, including Fire Chief Brian O’Neill, stood quietly with Hatt’s family members as the walk took place the afternoon of Aug. 26.
As Hatt was wheeled down the hallway, his firefighter hat sat with him in the hospital bed.
Wright said Hatt’s family asks the community to support departments like the one in Raywick as they continue to serve the public and honor Hatt’s dedication.
“When first responders go out that door, you don’t know the last time you’ll see them,” Wright said. “And in this case, it was the last time for Brian.”
Details for funeral services have not yet been announced but will be shared with the public as they are finalized, officials said.
More: Raywick firefighter dies after collision in Marion County, family says
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: UofL Hospital hosts honor walk for fallen Raywick, KY firefighter