‘You just never know’: Beloved Foothills firefighter dies after battle with COVID-19

MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C. — Firefighters lined overpasses along Interstate 40 Tuesday afternoon to honor Firefighter Garrett Presnell, 28, from McDowell County who died from COVID-19.

Firefighters said Presnell got sick quickly before he died Tuesday morning at Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem.

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Presnell was a firefighter in Black Mountain, a member of the Buncombe County Urban Search and Rescue, a volunteer at Sugar Hill Montford Cove Fire Department and was the president of the McDowell County Fire and Rescue Association.

“(He was the) type of fella who had friends everywhere,” said Chris Barnett, with Hankins-North Fork Volunteer Fire Department. “He just wanted to help people. Everything he did, he just wanted to be there to help no matter what the problem was.”

“This will hit the community hard because Garrett was a good guy,” said Barry Stepp, with Hankins-North Fork Volunteer Fire Department. “He was involved in a lot of different organizations so it will hit us hard.”

Presnell’s family members posted Monday that his condition worsened after his oxygen levels dropped. Firefighters said they didn’t know if Presnell was vaccinated.

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Presnell taught classes on self-rescue and how to save yourself in an emergency.

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“Just so short notice, 28 years of age,” said Mike Powell with the Long Town Fire Department. “You just never know and that’s why I tell everybody, just go get the shot. Go get the shot.”

Presnell leaves behind his wife, who is pregnant.

(Watch the video below: Vigil held for Albemarle firefighters battling COVID-19)

Vigil held for Albemarle firefighters battling COVID-19

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