APPLE SPRINGS, Texas-- Volunteer firefighter Carey Allen, 19, of Apple Springs was in critical condition Sunday night after being hit by a vehicle Saturday morning, according to a press release from the Apple Springs Volunteer Fire Department.
Carey and his twin brother Cody, who have both been with the VFD for about a year, pulled over to help the victims of an accident that took place around 8 a.m. Saturday on state Highway 94 about four miles west of Apple Springs, according to Rob Thorne, public relations officer with the Apple Springs VFD said.
Heavy rain had caused some flooding on about 50 feet of the highway, Thorne said. Two vehicles had hydroplaned when Carey and Cody arrived to help. One vehicle was already being helped by a tow truck so the brothers began attempting to help the occupants of the second vehicle, he said.
However, while the two attempted to help, two other vehicles also hydroplaned on that section of the road, one of them striking the brothers, Thorne said.
Ambulances and other vehicles arrived to take the 10 victims of the accident to Lufkin hospitals, Thorne said. Cody was released with injuries to his left arm and back, but Carey fared much worse.
After eight hours of surgery, he was transferred to the ICU at Memorial Hospital and was listed in critical condition Sunday morning. Hospital staff hope to transfer him to Tyler once he's stable for limb reconstruction.
"His brother is really upset," Thorne said.
Apple Springs volunteer firefighters are planning a fundraiser to help Carey and his family with medical expenses as well as lodging and food once they arrive in Tyler.
For more information or to donate money, call the fire department at 936-831-3711.
Republished with permission of The Lufkin Daily News.
