Tragic Loss: Off-Duty Lee County EMS EMT Jessica Sanchez Dies After Propane Tank Explosion in North Fort Myers
LEE COUNTY, Fla. — The community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of Jessica Sanchez, an off-duty EMT with Lee County EMS, who succumbed to her injuries earlier today after being critically injured in a devastating propane tank explosion last weekend. Sanchez had been hospitalized at HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton since Saturday, when she was airlifted as a “Trauma Alert” following the explosion on a private property on Nalle Grade Road in North Fort Myers.
She was just [insert age if known], and had dedicated her life to saving others.
On Saturday, September 14, Jessica was reportedly visiting a residence in North Fort Myers when a propane tank on the property suddenly exploded. According to the Tice Fire Department, the tank had been damaged by the homeowner, leading to a catastrophic leak and subsequent ignition. The State Fire Marshal’s Office has since confirmed that the explosion was accidental in nature, with no criminal intent or foul play suspected.
The explosion caused severe injuries to Sanchez, prompting a rapid response by emergency crews. LeeFlight, the region’s emergency air transport service, responded swiftly and transported her to HCA Florida Blake Hospital under a Trauma Alert designation. Despite intensive medical care and the hopes of her family, friends, and colleagues, she was pronounced dead earlier today.
As news of her passing spread, a somber funeral procession took place this evening. Family members, fellow EMS professionals, and first responders escorted Jessica from Bradenton to Naples, paying tribute to one of their own. The procession, though small in size, carried the immense weight of a community grieving for a fallen hero — someone who had committed her life to running toward danger when others ran away.
Jessica Sanchez was not only a dedicated EMT — she was also a beloved friend, daughter, colleague, and member of the Lee County first responder family. Known for her compassion, grit, and unwavering calm in the most chaotic moments, Jessica was a role model to many within the emergency medical community. Her coworkers describe her as someone who gave her all — not only on the job, but in life.
“Jessica was the kind of person you wanted beside you on the toughest calls,” said one of her fellow EMTs. “She was focused, fearless, and full of heart.”
The news of her death has reverberated across Southwest Florida. Social media has been flooded with messages of support and sorrow, many shared by EMS agencies, fire departments, and hospitals from across the state. Tributes have poured in from those who worked with her, as well as from grateful members of the public she helped over the years in their most vulnerable moments.
Lee County EMS issued a brief but emotional statement:
“Our hearts are broken. Jessica Sanchez was one of the best — a dedicated EMT, a team player, and a beautiful soul. She will be deeply missed by all of us at Lee County EMS. We extend our deepest condolences to her family and thank the community for their outpouring of support.”
Plans for a formal memorial or celebration of life are expected to be announced in the coming days. In the meantime, the community continues to rally around Jessica’s family and EMS colleagues, offering meals, messages of love, and donations to help ease the financial burden left in the wake of this tragedy.
As the sun sets on a life cut short, Jessica Sanchez is being remembered not just for how she died, but for how she lived — with courage, dedication, and an unrelenting commitment to others.
Rest in peace, EMT Jessica Sanchez.
Your service, your sacrifice, and your light will never be forgotten. You may have fallen off-duty, but you will always be remembered as a hero.
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