DENVER --
A Denver firefighter was seriously hurt Friday morning when he was pinned between a fire truck and another vehicle while trying to help the fire truck back out of a cul-de-sac, officials said.
The firefighter was behind the ladder truck, helping to guide it while it reversed, when the truck pinned him into another car that was on the street, according to Denver Fire.
The incident occurred at East 51st Avenue and Vaughn Way, where the firefighters were called to a home on a person who was experiencing shortness of breath, said Denver Fire spokesman Phil Champagne.
The crew had just finished with the medical call, and were trying to pull around the cul-du-sac when the accident occurred, he said.
Fellow firefighters worked to free the firefighter and transport him to the hospital.
A police officer checks out the area where the firefighter was pinned.
Champagne said the firefighter broke his leg.
“He is very fortunate. He will probably be treated and released," Champagne said.
Champagne said it was a messy sight, with a lot of blood and gore, but that the fire truck just got the side of him.
“He is very, very lucky," Champagne said.
The firefighter has not been identified.
Champagne said Denver Fire's protocol is to have two people help the driver when firefighters need to back up a fire truck. He said he did not know if the firefighter who was driving the rig will be cited or charged.
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