Our condolences to the Kangas family and the Brookhaven Fire Department of Pennsylvania. Junior FireFighter Christopher Kangas, 14, an eighth-grader at Northley Junior High School died one day before his 15th birthday on Saturday May 4, 2002. Christopher was responding with his bicycle to an alarm when he was struck by a 16 year old driver. He died a few hours later Children's Hospital as a result of the multiple head traumas he received in the crash.

     Chris had been a junior firefighter in Brookhaven for one year. He was responding from his friend and neighbors home, a Brookhaven police officer. He made his way to the Brookhaven Police Station where he checked in with a police officer who had no idea of the nature of the alarm. Minutes after he left the police station, he was struck by a car. Although the accident is still under investigation there is no indication of wrongdoing on the part of the driver who has only had his driver's license for two weeks.

     As a tribute to Chris, every Brookhaven fire truck and emergency response vehicle gathered at the accident sight yesterday where a number of firefighters spoke to honor their fallen comrade. Despite the fact that Chris did not die in an actual fire, Brookhaven Fire Company will provide him with full honors at his funeral. Funeral arrangements have been made for Thursday May 9, 2002 at Bateman Funeral Home in Brookhaven from 9AM-12 noon, followed by a procession to the Borough Hall at 2 Cambridge Road, where the memorial service will take place. The family requests that any donations be sent to the Brookhaven Fire Company, at 4218 Barlow in Brookhaven, PA 19015.