LODDS

Injured Ohio Firefighter's Condition Improves

April 27, 2007

A Hamilton firefighter who nearly died last week in a training accident is improving, officials said.

HAMILTON, Ohio --

A Hamilton firefighter who nearly died last week in a training accident is improving, officials said.

Chris Gabbard, whose boat flipped over during a water-rescue training exercise, was pulled underwater by ducts in a dam for at least 20 minutes and has been in critical condition at University Hospital ever since.

Fire department officials said Gabbard was able to move his hands and toes Thursday morning, and doctors removed him from a ventilator for 15 minutes on Tuesday.

John Hansbauer, another firefighter injured during the exercise, has been transferred to Drake Rehabilitation Center to recover from a spinal injury.

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