Firefighters in a small community to the north of New York City are rallying around one of their own who is in critical condition due to complications from the flu.
New City Assistant Fire Chief Richard Willows tells News 12 Westchester that 19-year-old probationary firefighter Will McCue is on dialysis after suffering lung and kidney complications from the illness.
"It's devastating to see how fast this flu is kicking in and attacking people," Willows said, referring to a large flu outbreak in the New York Metropolitan area this season that has killed at least four children.
McCue reportedly fell ill earlier this week at the firehouse and was in the hospital within a day or two, according to Willows.
Fellow firefighters and the community came together to create a GoFundMe page to help raise money for the young firefighter's growing medical expenses. As of Friday morning, nearly $30,000 has been raised in only three days.
New City is a hamlet within the town of Clarkstown about 18 miles north of New York City.
