Newton - Newton firefighter Lt. Richard Geary returned home Sunday, May 20, from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center after a harrowing accident involving a quarter-century-old city fire truck at a Boston College Dumpster fire last week.
"There are three quadrants of my body that are in good shape, and I got one that I don't think would get much in a rental place," Geary said in a soft, jovial tone.
Back in his Franklin home, Geary thanked colleagues for saving his life.
Meanwhile, a promised state report on the May 15 fire and ensuing accident has not yet been released.
Geary's injuries were severe. The 20-year department veteran suffered a compound arm fracture, a shoulder blade broken in two places, a large head laceration and fractured ribs after being pinned by Engine 13. After the truck reportedly slipped out of gear early Tuesday morning, rescue workers used the Jaws of Life to pry Geary from the scene.
"We -- all in the community -- have all of our thoughts and prayers with him and his family for a full and speedy recovery," Mayor David Cohen said at a press conference this week.
Fire Chief Joseph LaCroix said the State Police Truck Team and Newton Police are examining Engine 13, which has been impounded. An independent company is coming in to study the truck as well, he said.
Engine 13, a 24-year-old spare truck, was temporarily put into service last week while mechanical problems on Engine 3 were being addressed. The truck was last refurbished in 1992.
If possible, LaCroix said he would like to see two independent investigations.
"We have to learn from this in future incidents," LaCroix said. "This thing can divide a department in a heartbeat if it's not done right. It has to be done right. I'm persistent on that, and stated that to the mayor [last Thursday.]"
Cohen referred to state police for comments on the developing investigation.
Details leading up to the engine's fateful slip are still foggy.
Union President Frannie Capello said medical officials thought Geary would have died within five minutes had he not been rescued. Capello said the union has done investigations across the state into whether other stations have experienced a similar slip.
"What this truck did, it's not unheard of [in the service]," said Capello, considering the engine is more than 20 years old and has racked up 120,000-plus miles.
Its problem, Capello said, is known as dieseling.
"The truck was dieseling when kicked into gear and it can actually work in reverse," Capello said. "The engine goes haywire and it won't shut down."
The union president said Engine 13 should be run through each step that took place on May 15 for an investigation to be successful.
The union has already identified a couple of companies through the International Association of Firefighters in Washington, D.C., that could conduct the investigation, Capello said.
An independent report, he said, could be released within the next couple of weeks.
Lt. Richard Geary FundNewton firefighters established a fund in support of Lt. Richard Geary. All those interested in helping Geary and his family can send a donation to the address below:
Lt. Richard Geary Fund
411 Watertown St.
Newton, MA 02458
Republished with permission from the Newton Tab
