Firefighter pinned under truck in crash suffers ‘disabling injuries,’ officials say

A firefighter suffered “disabling injuries” after he was ejected from his fire truck and pinned underneath it during a crash, Ohio officials say.

The crash happened on Sunday, Sept. 18, as firefighters with the Middleport Fire Department were returning from a call. The driver of the fire truck was involved in a rollover crash, which caused him to be thrown from the apparatus, officials say.

An image posted by the fire department shows the truck on its side in a grassy area off the road.

Firefighters from other departments, including nearby Pomeroy, responded to the crash. The Pomeroy Fire Department said they found the Middleport firefighter partially pinned underneath the truck.

First responders used air bags to lift the truck, which helped remove the firefighter, according to the Middleport Fire Department. He was flown to a hospital in Columbus and had “disabling injuries.”

No one else was on board the truck, WSAZ reported.

The 72-year-old volunteer firefighter suffered fractures in his lower leg, according to WSAZ. Middleport Fire Chief Jeff Darst described him as a “tough old bird” who first served with the fire department in the 1970s and 80s.

“The members of the Pomeroy FD extend their prayers to the injured fireman and members of the Middleport FD,” the Pomeroy Police Department said.

Middleport is about 100 miles southeast of Columbus.

This story was originally published September 20, 2022 at 9:34 AM with the headline "Firefighter pinned under truck in crash suffers ‘disabling injuries,’ officials say."