Body of volunteer firefighter returned to Delaware hometown

LEWES, Del. (WPVI) -- A volunteer firefighter who died in training exercise has been brought back to his hometown in Delaware.

More than 50 fire department officials from neighboring communities escorted the body of Tim McClanahan Wednesday morning from the Medical Examiner's office to a funeral home in Lewes.

The 46-year-old was killed when he fell from a helicopter during an exercise in Georgetown on Monday.

Officials say a pilot and trooper medic were on board along with two volunteer firefighters.

As McClanahan stepped out onto the skid of the helicopter, he fell from an undetermined height onto a grassy area below the aircraft.

At that point, the helicopter landed and the trooper medic and volunteer firefighter on board as well as nearby volunteer firefighters rushed over and immediately rendered medical assistance.

Sussex County Paramedics and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported McClanahan from Lewes to Beebe Healthcare where he was pronounced dead.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.