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STILLWATER — The veteran emergency medical technician who was driving a critically-burned man from a fire scene this morning felt a heart attack coming on – and in his last moments did his best to save the people inside the ambulance, colleagues say.

William Martin, of Stillwater, was driving a man seriously burned in a house fire to a landing zone for a Medevac airlift to a hospital. But on a nearby road, he began to feel ill – and tried to stop the ambulance before he succumbed, says Michele Hess, the captain of the Stillwater Emergency Rescue Squad.

“Even in his last minutes, he was trying to save everybody else,” Hess said. “He died doing what he loved.”

The ambulance left the road and crashed into a utility pole on Stillwater-Fredon Road. But the three occupants of the vehicle were not injured in the crash which left the ambulance resting at a 45-degree angle up a slope, Hess said. An out-of-town paramedic and EMT were in the ambulance with the patient, she added.

The early-morning fire killed Dorothy Baer, 70, and critically injured John Baer, 68, in their Potters Road home, according to Lt. Stephen Jones of the New Jersey State Police.

John Baer was taken out of the crashed ambulance and transported to Saint Barnabas Medical Center, where he remained listed in critical condition early this afternoon, said Sally Malech, a hospital spokeswoman.

The State Police and the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office are still investigating the fire as suspicious, said Greg Mueller, the county’s first assistant prosecutor.

John Baer is the former propane-truck driver who triggered an enormous propane fire at the Able Energy Inc. facility in Newton in 2003, which caused an evacuation of 1,000 people lasting several days – but which resulted in no serious injuries.

Martin was the president of the Stillwater Emergency Rescue Squad and a longtime volunteer, Hess said, adding that the group was still in shock at his sudden passing.

“He was an awesome guy – and he loved what he did,” she said.

Stillwater Township released a statement on the passing of Martin, as well.

"His long standing dedication and commitment will forever remain an inspiration for all who follow in his footsteps," officials wrote.

Previous coverage:

Ambulance driver dies as he transports victim from fatal Sussex County fire

Man hurt in suspicious Sussex County fatal fire triggered Newton explosion in 2003