A South Carolina firefighter was airlifted after suffering an injury during a training exercise Thursday.
The Gaffney Fire Department conducting its annual water rescue training at Limestone University when the incident happened, The Gaffney Ledger reports. While making a shallow water entry drive, a firefighter heard something pop and needed to be pulled out of the water.
“He did the dive perfectly, but something popped, and he was in excruciating pain,” Chief Jamie Caggiano said.
Initially, the firefighter was placed in an ambulance, but his condition began to worsen. Medics called for a helicopter, and the firefighter was airlifted to Spartansurg Regional Medical Center.
No details have been released concerning the nature of the injuries, but they weren't considered life-threatening, according to the Ledger. In an online update Friday, the department stated that the firefighter was recovering.
"We as firefighters are trained to help you when you need us," the department stated. "Yesterday having to help one of our own was difficult to say the least. … Glad our ball of fire is improving he has a long road ahead but he is a fighter."
