Honorees

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Year Honored
1997
Honoree
Elaine P Lyda
Agency
Clarkton Rescue Squad
Agency City
Clarkton
Agency State
NC
Last Call
10/10/87
Cause of Death
Non Ambulance Involved MVC
Biography
Elaine Lyda was an Emergency Medical Technician with the Clarkton Rescue Squad. Elaine was active in all activities of the squad, serving as Squad Secretary, EMT and participating in fundraising. She represented the Clarkton Squad by serving as Secretary of the Area II region of the North Carolina Association of Rescue Squads (NCARS) and had recently been recognized for her contributions by being awarded Secretary of the Year by the NCARS.<br /> <br /> October 10, 1987 was on the Squad calendar to sell concessions at the Clarkton Tobacco Festival. Mrs. Lyda was returning home with her daughter, Kelley, after assisting with the annual squad fundraiser when a pickup truck operated by a reckless driver sped through a stop sign and smashed into her car. Elaine Lyda, age 45, was killed instantly. Her 18-year-old daughter received cuts and bruises and was transported to the Bladen County Hospital. The driver of the pickup also received minor injuries and was transported to the hospital. All three passengers were wearing their seat belts.<br /> <br /> Elaine had been volunteering her enthusiastic energy and EMT ability to the Clarkton Rescue Squad for several years. She was employed by the Joint Municipal Housing Cooperative in Elizabethtown. She is survived by her husband, Carlos, daughter, Kelley, two sons, Timothy and Kevin, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Houston Pruitt, and her sister, Carolyn Burns.<br /> <br /> Honored 1997