An East Prairie Métis Settlement firefighter is in a coma after being struck by a fallen tree while battling a wildfire in Alberta that also consumed his home.
The fire broke out May 5 and wildland firefighter Frankie Payou helped his pregnant girlfriend and three children escape before creating a fire break around his home and responding to help others.
This past Sunday, a burned tree fell on Payou, striking his shoulders and head, according to the CBC.
He was transported to an Edmonton hospital where he is in ICU.
"He has bleeding in the brain. He has kidney and liver damage. He also has broken ribs and they were waiting for a spinal surgeon to come and see how fractured his C-7 was,” family spokesperson Jessica Supernault told globalnewsca.com.
Supernault said their house was engulfed in flames shortly after Payou left and that his mother's house was also destroyed by the fire.
A GoFundMe was established to assist Payou and his family.
