Local soldier dies in forklift incident

SWANSEA, MA (WPRI) - Relatives of a Massachusetts soldier based in Washington state, say their loved one has died in a forklift accident in Iraq.

Twenty-four-year-old Sergeant Kyle Harrington of Swansea, died Saturday, during his second tour of duty in Iraq. While there, he was assigned to repair Humvees and other light vehicles.

"You know I am so proud of him. I told him that so often, every time I wrote him a letter. I had to put that in there, you know, he was just the best brother I could have asked for," says Elizabeth Harrington, Kyle's sister.

Elizabeth prayed the day would never come, but she is glad she wrote those words to her brother Kyle now that he is gone.

"It made him into a man that I almost didn't recognize him when he came home. I was so proud of him just what he became."

Elizabeth said the Army transformed Kyle into a father of his two children and a husband anyone would admire. It is at Joseph Case High School where he met his wife, Faith.

"It was something very stupid and it upsets me to lose him that way. It doesn't change how proud I am of everything he has done overseas."

Elizabeth is upset she missed her brother's last call from the war torn region on Wednesday, but takes comfort with the years that she has spent with him that made so many memories that will not be erased.

"He was fun to be around, he loved everybody. He was the first person to tell you he cared about you and that if anything was wrong he would be there for you."

His wife Faith is making arrangements to come from Washington state to Fall River with their two children. Funeral arrangements have not yet been made.

Besides his wife, Harrington leaves behind two children; two-year-old Kaylee, and five-year-old Joshua.