Paramedic Darren Taylor, who died Monday on the TCH, suffered from PTSD - Action News
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Paramedic Darren Taylor, who died Monday on the TCH, suffered from PTSD

The 39-year-old man who died Monday following a single-vehicle crash on the Trans-Canada at Brigus Junction was a paramedic with Eastern Health who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Taylor revealed his struggles in a January post on Facebook

Darren Taylor, 39, was killed in a single vehicle accident on the TCH near Brigus Junction on Monday (Facebook)

The 39-year-old man who died Monday following a single-vehicle crash on the Trans-Canada at Brigus Junction was an experienced paramedic with Eastern Health who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Darren Taylor, 39, revealed his struggles with PTSDduring a very personal posting on Facebook in late January, during Bell's Let's Talk Day, which aims to end the stigma associated with mental health problems.

"As a paramedic for almost 20 years I seem to have the shittyend of the proverbial stick from numerous calls that have come from the some of the most publicized horrific accidents, suicides, and homicides and calls as a paramedic," he wrote in a post.

"I dare not say the nature of the call[s] due to disturbing details that the public should never know or see or hear of."

He went on to say his personal journey with PTSD has been "an uphill battle" but that things were turning around thanks to the support of his friends and family.

Taylor tagged 96 people in his status update, some of whom were his paramedicine colleagues.

"Let's end the cowardly stigma on PTSD and mental health and educate people of what it really is and how we can all end this fight together!!!" he wrote.

Diving was therapy for Taylor

In a Facebook status, Taylor said deep sea diving sometimes helped him cope after a getting off work (Facebook)

Taylor also wrote about his passion for diving, and how it gave him relief.

"Down under my fears can't get to me," he wrote hisdives."It's peaceful and quiet with the only sound being my breath."

He ended themore than 200-word post with this: "My name is Darren Taylor and I have PTSD."

The crash

Fatal crash

8 years ago
Duration 1:03
The RCMP have confirmed a man was killed in a single-vehicle collision on the Trans-Canada Highway early Monday morning.

TheRCMP say the accident happened around 1a.m. on Monday and that Taylor was wearing his seatbelt.

It's not known why he was driving west at such an early hour, but police have stated that speed was a "major factor" in the crash.

A funeral service forTaylor is scheduled for Thursday.