The harrowing final moments of an American volunteer who died aboard a medical evacuation train in Ukraine have been revealed by a fellow aid worker who documented his tragic decline.
DeCarlos Brown, 44, from Alabama, passed away on 20th June while transporting wounded soldiers and civilians from the front lines. His death came just weeks after he himself had carried an injured Ukrainian soldier to safety across a river under heavy fire.
Fellow volunteer Iryna Zarutska, who was travelling with Mr Brown on the medical train, described watching his condition rapidly deteriorate during the journey. She captured his final hours on video, showing the American struggling to breathe as medical personnel fought to save him.
A Hero's Final Mission
Mr Brown had been working with the non-profit organisation Project Konstantin, which provides evacuation services and aid to those affected by the conflict. His heroic actions weeks earlier, when he rescued a wounded soldier while under enemy fire, demonstrated his extraordinary commitment to helping others.
"He carried a wounded soldier across the river on his shoulders," Ms Zarutska recounted. "The water was up to his neck, and they were under fire at that time."
Tragic Deterioration Aboard Medical Train
During what would be his final mission, Mr Brown began experiencing severe health complications while the train was en route. Despite efforts from medical staff aboard the evacuation transport, his condition worsened dramatically.
Ms Zarutska's footage shows medical workers desperately performing CPR as the train continued its journey. The volunteers aboard faced the agonising reality of being unable to get immediate professional medical assistance while in transit.
"We tried to save him, but we didn't succeed," Ms Zarutska stated, her voice heavy with emotion. "We were on the train for several more hours with his body."
Community Mourns an American Hero
Project Konstantin confirmed Mr Brown's death in a social media tribute, praising his bravery and dedication to helping the people of Ukraine. The organisation described him as "always smiling" and noted that he had been involved in multiple dangerous evacuation missions.
The US State Department acknowledged reports of an American citizen's death in Ukraine and offered condolences to the family while confirming they were monitoring the situation.
Mr Brown's tragic death highlights the immense risks faced by international volunteers who continue to provide critical support in conflict zones, often working with limited resources and under extremely dangerous conditions.
