A Washington Township firefighter who was pinned between two fire apparatus at the scene of a fire on June 24 remains in the ICU.
Both of Firefighter Josef Tadijanac's legs were amputated above the knees at Riverdale Methodist Hospital four days following the incident, according to The Mansfield News Journal.
While on the scene at St. James Road, a Jefferson Township-Bellville International 400 fire truck rolled into Tadijanac, pinning him against a Troy Township International 7400 fire truck.
Ohio Highway Patrol Sgt. Mike Roth told the newspaper that the pumper truck was left in gear with the air brake on as Tadijanac was engaging the pump. As the driver was increasing the RPMs to get the right PSI for the nozzle pressure, the truck lurched forward.
He said that while it is being regarded as an unintentional accident, it is still under investigation.
Tadijanac's neighbor, Peggy Stoughton, asked for the community to keep her friend in their prayers.
"People come and go in your life, but there are few like Joe," she said. "He would help anyone in need and ask nothing in return."
She said that he was still heavily sedate as of Tuesday night and still didn't know that he had lost his legs.
According to Stoughton, he's expected to be in the ICU for another week and a half.
His fiance, Andrea and his parents have been by his side every day since the incident occurred.
A fund has been set up to assist the family with expenses.
