By FireRescue1 Staff
STARR, S.C. — A teen firefighter is moving from intensive care to a rehab facility after being seriously injured in a vehicle crash.
Independent Mail reported that Starr Fire Department firefighter Joseph Blanton, 18, was on his way to EMT training when his truck ran off the road and crashed into trees.
Fire Chief Gregg Campbell said Blanton called out to responders that he was trapped in his truck when they arrived.
“At first, the responders didn’t know how bad it was,” Chief Campbell said. “They knew he was broke up. They knew he had a bad gash on his head, but as they learned more, they knew it was serious.”
After being in intensive care due to a spinal cord injury, Blanton is now being moved to a rehab facility, according to WSPA.
“We know that we have a long road ahead with rehabilitation and beyond but he’s ready to work,” Blanton’s mother, Jessica, said. “We should be moving to a rehabilitation facility over the next few days after his assessments are completed. We cannot express our gratitude to Greenville Hospital for everything! Each person who has come in contact with us has treated us like family.”
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