Straight Talk

Vancouver firefighter hospitalized after allegedly impaired driver's vehicle rips hose off hydrant

by Charlie Smith on January 2nd, 2018 at 3:41 PM
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      A bizarre turn of events caused a lower-leg injury to a Vancouver firefighter early this morning.

      He was part of a crew battling a blaze near the corner of Main and Hastings streets when an allegedly impaired motorist's vehicle crossed over a fire hose.

      Today, acting Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services chief Brian Godlonton told reporters that this caused the hose to become disengaged from the fire hydrant.

      The hose then knocked over the firefighter, who's recovering in hospital.

      Fire Chief Darrell Reid tweeted today that the firefighter will have "lots of rehab and recovery ahead".

      "This is a hazard that first responders should NOT have to face!" Reid declared.

      Police later took the driver into custody.

      The news prompted the following tweet from Vancouver lawyer Paul Doroshenko, whose practice includes defending people accused of impaired driving.