{"id":2764,"date":"2026-06-04T18:40:32","date_gmt":"2026-06-04T18:40:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/?p=2764"},"modified":"2026-06-04T18:40:32","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T18:40:32","slug":"apopka-to-destroy-sand-trailer-that-fatally-injured-on-duty-firefighter-in-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/?p=2764","title":{"rendered":"Apopka to destroy sand trailer that fatally injured on-duty firefighter in 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Nearly four years after a 25-year-old Apopka firefighter was fatally injured on the job by a heavy trailer of sand, the city has finally decided to get rid of it.<\/p>\n

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Austin Duran\u2019s death had started a years-long saga that included calls to terminate then-Fire Chief Sean Wylam, a lawsuit by Duran\u2019s family, and an effort to recall then-Mayor Bryan Nelson.<\/p>\n

Commissioners voted unanimously during Wednesday\u2019s meeting to have the trailer destroyed after a visibly emotional Michael Duran, Austin\u2019s father, told them he and his family were surprised \u2014 and very disturbed \u2014 to learn the city still had it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m here today to ask, and to let the city know, that myself and my family are 100% behind getting rid of this trailer,\u201d he told commissioners. \u201cI, too, thought that this sand trailer was out of the city.\u201d<\/p>\n

Austin Duran died July 15, 2022 of traumatic spine injuries he suffered 15 days earlier when helping move the trailer, which carried a heavy metal container filled with sand used on spills involving gas and other liquids. The trailer tipped over, crushing him. He had been working at the department for just two years.<\/p>\n

The elder Duran told commissioners that he had been told the trailer was gone when he asked about it in the past. He said he\u2019s convinced that if the city keeps the trailer it will end up back in service \u2014 and could cause another tragedy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to make sure that this trailer is cut up into small pieces beyond recognition, that no other fire department could ever possibly come into possession of this trailer,\u201d he said. \u201cI don\u2019t want a third party to do it, I want this city to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Duran wore a baseball hat with the logo and a shirt with the stylized name of The 2650 Foundation, a nonprofit formed to honor his son by family, friends and fellow firefighters. The foundation, named in honor of his badge number, says its mission is to \u201cbuild upon Austin\u2019s enduring legacy by providing and promoting training, education, and mentorship opportunities for first-responders, breathing life into his aspirations.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Mayor Nick Nesta, who was sworn in April 28, told commissioners he did not realize the city still had the trailer in its possession. He said he came upon it while visiting various city properties after taking office.<\/p>\n

Nesta said after consulting with the city attorneys to see if there were legal reasons to hold onto it, he reached out to Duran\u2019s family to discuss removing it. The issue was on the meeting\u2019s consent agenda for disposal of surplus property.<\/p>\n

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Pictures: Apopka Firefighter Laid To Rest Saturday<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n