TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — A speeding truck crashed into a small van carrying a group of U.S. soldiers in northern Honduras. Two people died, and one was seriously injured following the traffic accident near the city of La Ceiba.
Staff Sergeant Matthew Walrod, 26, was killed in the accident. Just weeks ago Matthew Walrod’s medical skills saved a Honduran girl.
The 18-month-old had fallen on a large knife, suffering a deep cut. She needed stitches, and her parents brought her to the closest and best help they could – Air Force Staff Sgt. Walrod at the nearby military base.
The 26-year-old Fairchild Air Force Base independent duty medical technician stitched up the girl and sent her home. “It’s the best thing I’ve done,” said Walrod at the time.
That last good work is a testament to his caring nature, family members said Friday from their homes in Olympia and McCleary, Wash.
Walrod was a member of the 92nd Medical Group Family Health Clinic and had been serving on independent duty in Honduras for a four-month tour in support of New Horizons 2006-Honduras, a joint US-Honduras training exercise.
Capt. Heidi K. Palmer, 30, also died said Maj. Robert Couse-Baker, spokesman for the Refueling Wing. She is survived by her husband and two young children.
“Heidi and her family are in our prayers. We’ll do what we can to help her family through this difficult time,” Col. James L. Kerr, the wing’s commander, said Friday. “We will greatly miss her professionalism and enthusiasm.”
The soldiers were traveling from La Ceiba to the industrial city of San Pedro Sula, Flores said. They had been participating in joint military exercises with their Honduran counterparts for the past month.
0 responses so far ↓
There are no comments yet...Kick things off by filling out the form below.
You must log in to post a comment.