A New York State Police trooper died Wednesday of injuries he suffered more than two years ago while assisting at the scene of a plane crash in the town of Wawayanda.
Trooper Winston Martindale Jr. was helping with the rescue attempt after two small phanes collided on May 6, 2011 when he fell on a piece of equipment, according to The Times Herald-Record.
It was later discovered that the trooper's fall caused internal bleeding to his abdomen, but despite his injuries, he stayed at the crash scene to assist for six hours. The two pilots of the planes were killed in the fiery crash.
Martindale underwent several serious medical procedures before dying at the age of 40 on Wednesday at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
Joseph Tripodo was working with Martindale that day and said he remembers seeing him crawling on his stomach under the fuselage, looking for victims.
"That's the kind of trooper he was," Tripodo told the newspaper. "He always gave 110 percent. He always answered the bell, and answered it with vigor."
Martindale was a seven-year veteran of the state police assigned to the New Hampton barracks and was also a member of the U.S. Army Reserves.
He is survived by his wife, Michelle, and their son and daughter.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
