A Tamaqua man lost his life just before noon Tuesday when he was pinned beneath a car.

Police, fire companies and the Tamaqua Rescue Squad were dispatched by the Schuylkill Communications Center at 11:42 a.m. for a report of a man stuck beneath a car at 101 Clay St.According to police, Paul "PJ" Derr, 40, apparently was working underneath his vehicle, an SUV, which was parked in front of his house at 101 Clay St. at the intersection with West Street, more commonly known as Rock Alley, in the community's North Ward section.For reasons yet unclear, the vehicle rolled off repair ramps on which it had been elevated, pinning Derr beneath.At least one neighbor rushed to help and to notify Derr's wife.Emergency response units arrived at the hillside location within minutes. However, those at the scene said there was little first responders could do."The victim was found unresponsive," said a statement issued by Tamaqua police.Derr was pronounced dead at the scene by Schuylkill County Deputy Coroner David Truskowsky.The car was removed from the scene by Ziegler's Auto Repair and Towing, Tamaqua.Patrolman Anthony Stanell is the investigating officer.A 1992 Tamaqua Area High School graduate, Derr served honorably in the U.S. Army Reserve for six years.A member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters 600, he worked for Walsh Granite of Allentown.An active member of Zion's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tamaqua, he enjoyed the outdoors, camping, hunting and fishing, and listening to music.According to his obituary, he was a family man who worked hard, often taking on side jobs to provide for his family.For his full obituary, see Page 4.