Canadian Firefighter Seriously Injured in Fall

Jan. 4, 2017
The Halifax firefighter was called to assist someone in distress in a tree when he fell 25 feet.

A Halifax Regional firefighter remains in the hospital after suffering serious injuries on New Year's Eve.

The firefighter responded to a person in a tree was in distress.

While the firefighter was climbing a ladder, he fell 25 to 30 feet, Local Express reported.

“To the ground it was about 15 or 20 feet, but there was an opening, it looks like a stairway or walkway, to a door below (ground level) and he fell to the concrete below," Deputy Chief Roy Hollett said. 

Officials are still trying to determine why the firefighter fell and the Department of Labour was brought in to the investigation.

The firefighter, who has been with the department for five years, suffered serious back injuries.

“Since the Department of Labour is taking the lead on this, I'll let them (look at) exactly what happened and the procedures, and (make) recommendations ... on how we could (handle) these situations in the future without this happening,” Hollett said.

Police said the incident is a sudden death file and that the death is not suspicious.

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