Utah: Syracuse firefighter hit by car while responding to accident
A Syracuse firefighter was seriously injured Thursday when he was hit by another vehicle while on the scene of a traffic accident. Dan Holman, 44, suffered a broken ankle as well as cuts and bruises, some that required stitches.
"He's banged up. He sustained some signficant injuries, but not life-threatening. It's going to be awhile before he'll be back at work. But all things considered, he's really lucky and doing well," said Syracuse Fire Chief Eric Froerer.
Emergency crews responded to a traffic accident in front of Syracuse High School, at the intersection of 700 South and 2000 West, about 7:45 p.m. Thursday.
While some firefighters attended to the patients, Holman was assigned to clear the road of debris from the crash. As he was doing that, he was hit by a car passing through.
"He was hit head-on, and up onto the hood and windshield and thrown forward several feet," Froerer said. "I don't think he saw the vehicle, and I don't think the driver saw him."
Froerer said there were police officers directing traffic, flashing emergency lights all around, and the car that hit him was going an estimated 20 mph. But the driver apparently didn't see Holman.
"It doesn't take much speed in that kind of situation to get somebody hurt," he said. "It's just really scary when something like this happens."
On the Syracuse Fire Department's Facebook page Friday, a reminder for all motorists was posted: "The bright flashing lights are not Christmas lights. My flourescent clothing is not a fashion statement. Slow down. Move over."
"There's a lot of distractions, a lot of flashing lights and a lot of people, and you're looking around and trying to navigate your way through," Froerer said of typical emergency scenes while asking motorists to pay extra attention when passing through one.
Holman has been with the fire department since 2003.
"He is a huge part of the heart and soul of this station," a representative from the department posted on their Facebook wall. "I can't imagine this place without him. He serves us all in so many ways — and it is clear he loves his job. Thank you! Our hearts will be with him and your family during his recovery!"
The Utah Highway Patrol is handling the investigation into the crash.
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