A Hawaiian firefighter was impaled by a tree Sunday at the scene of a debris fire.
The Kaua'i firefighter is in the intensive care unit, and is expected to make a full recovery.
He was crossing over a fence when he fell on a haole koa tree which impaled him, according to Kauai Now News.
Fellow firefighters treated him until an ambulance arrived. He was transported to Wilcox Medical Center.
“I want to thank our first responders for responding quickly, extinguishing the fire, and saving the life of their fellow firefighter. This fire put our firefighters at significant risk and almost claimed the life of one of our own,” Kauai Fire Chief Michael Gibson told
Firefighters arrived on the scene and discovered a fire in a 20-by-60-foot area.
Firefighters observed a mixture of brush, car tires, and trash. Because a fence obscured access to the fire, firefighters crossed over it to get to the fire. Once firefighters extinguished the fire, a firefighter sustained injuries after crossing the fence and descended on a haole koa tree, puncturing his body.
Firefighters on the scene treated the firefighter until medics arrived. The firefighter was transported to Wilcox Medical Center emergency and is currently in the intensive care unit. He is expected to make a full recovery.
