Following a traffic accident at the scene of a woods fire, a North Carolina firefighter was seriously injured and suffered the loss of his left leg.
Courier-Tribune reports that 43-year-old Earl Harrington of Candor was part of a team of volunteer firefighters on the scene at 1906 Cole Road, near Brewer Road in Montgomery County. Smoke from the woods fire caused low visibility conditions that contributed to the accident, in which Harrington was pinned between a fire truck and a vehicle that struck it.
The fire department unit arrived on the scene at 2:14 p.m. and several firefighters were at the rear of the fire truck placing cones and getting out hoses when a Jeep traveling eastbound on the two-lane rural road struck the emergency vehicle, pinning Harrington between them. Shortly after, a second vehicle struck the Jeep.
Biscoe resident Clifton Donald Maness, 63, was driving the 2010 Jeep, which was the first vehicle to hit Harrington. Maness was taken to Moore Regional Hospital for evaluation, and damage to his Jeep was estimated at $23,000. The second vehicle, a 2012 Toyota car, was driven by 28-year-old Brittany Hancox Parsons, also of Biscoe, who was uninjured in the accident, reports the Courier-Tribune.
Both Maness and Parsons were charged with exceeding a safe speed under the poor visibility caused by smoky conditions.
According to reports, Harrington was airlifted from a landing zone near the fire to the medical facility at Chapel Hill where he was listed in serious condition. He underwent at least two surgeries to amputate his left leg and repair damage to his right leg. He is now reported to be in stable condition.
If you or a loved one is injured in an accident, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit and receive recompense for medical bills as well as pain and suffering. Our Raleigh personal injury lawyers are here to help you. Contact Kelly & West today to discuss the details of your personal injury claim.
