By FireRescue1 Staff
WALKER COUNTY, Ga. — A fire chief who was seriously injured in a vehicle crash two months ago left the hospital this week.
North Georgia Fire Chief Matthew Mann was transporting an inmate van when a drunk driver crashed head-on into the vehicle Jan. 19. Following the crash, Chief Mann underwent nine surgeries in 11 days. He has spent the last several months in the hospital and rehabilitation.
“It’s been a long journey. I still got a long journey ahead of me,” Chief Mann told WRCBV-TV.
Chief Mann credits the firefighter inmates who rushed to his aid after the crash with saving his life. He said he intends to visit them and thank them.
“They are my guys. I’ve trained them. I’ve had them for a while,” Chief Mann said. “It is going to be nice to see them.”
The chief will continue rehabilitation, and won’t return to the station for another few months.