Nov. 08--ROCHESTER -- The man airlifted to the hospital after a plow truck fire at the Riviera Motel remains in serious condition at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston after receiving burns to his face and hands Tuesday.
The victim was identified by his family Thursday as Timothy Sullivan, 59, who lives at the motel. His nephew, Charles Loeffoer, 35, said Sullivan was welding a light bar to the back of the plow truck, when the gas tank of the vehicle exploded and the vehicle caught fire.
"I just started hollering, calling his name," said Loeffoer, also a Riviera Motel resident, who saw the accident happen. "There was too much commotion."
Loeffoer said he had been watching after Sullivan's 3-year-old grandson when the explosion happened. A motel staff member called 911 after the accident.
Sullivan remained in serious condition for the past three days, and today he is scheduled to have a skin graft surgery at the hospital, according to Karen Racicot, who has been his girlfriend for more than 40 years.
She said that while Sullivan is expected to remain at Brigham and Women's Hospital for a while, it is not believed his injuries are life-threatening.
"I think he's going to make it," said Racicot.
Loeffoer said, "We miss him very, very much."
He emphasized that while fire officials initially reported Sullivan was welding the gas tank when the accident occurred, that was not the case. Rather, Sullivan was welding a break light bar at the back of his truck.
"This is what he does for a living," said Loeffoer, who said his uncle does auto repair and sales.
Copyright 2013 - Foster's Daily Democrat, Dover, N.H.
