A Bradley County firefighter was injured Saturday morning when he was hit in the head with faulty hose coupling during a routine maintenance test, according to The Cleveland Daily Banner.
Firefighter Richard Hall was in full turnout gear when the incident occurred shortly before 10 a.m. in a parking lot near Station 8.
He was flown by helicopter to Erlanger Medical Center where he was listed in stable condition.
"When the hoses were put under pressure, one of the metal couplings used to connect the hoses together, failed and disintegrated. Part of the coupling struck Hall in the forehead," Fire Chief Dewey Woody told the newspaper.
He credited safety gear in limiting the injuries sustained by the 19-year-old firefighter.
"Hall was wearing his safety helmet and safety goggles which no doubt prevented an even more serious injury."
