Missouri Firefighter Succumbs to Injuries from Tornado

NEWTON COUNTY, Mo. -- Saturday's tornado has claimed another victim.

Tyler Casey, 21, a firefighter with the Seneca Fire Protection District, died at 1:53 p.m. Monday at Joplin's Freeman West Hospital, where he was admitted after being injured while storm spotting Saturday on Missouri Highway 43 and Iris Road. Casey's body was taken to Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home in Seneca and funeral arrangements were pending as of Monday evening.

Redings Mill Fire Chief Andy Nimmo credited Casey with saving the lives of three people before he was injured.

"The key is he sacrificed his life so that others would live," Nimmo said. "He was out warning people so they could get to safety, and then a tornado got him.

"I have a tremendous amount of pride for what he did. I wish I could be as much as a firefighter as he was. Here he was, just 21 years old and not getting paid anything for what he did. He could have run the other way, but he ran toward it, and gave his life saving others. I hope everyone realizes how much of a hero he was."

Casey leaves behind a two year old and another child on the way.

His death brings the death total to 14 in Newton County.

Republished with permission of The Neosho Daily News.

Funeral Information

Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 17 at 2 p.m. at the the Racine Christian Church, 12218 Highway K, Seneca, Mo.

Burial will follow at he New Salem Cemetery.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Tyler Casey Memorial Fund in care of Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home, PO Box 380, Seneca MO, 64865.

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