Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Two Campbellsville Firefighters Remain Hospitalized Following University Accident

Kentucky News Network photo
Credit Kentucky News Network photo
22 year old part-time Campbellsville firefighter Simon Quinn remains hospitalized after suffering an electric shock on Campbellsville University's campus Thursday morning.
Credit Dylan Lovan,AP
A Campbellsville Fire Department truck with its ladder extended remained at the scene Thursday morning at Campbellsville University following the power line accident.

Credit Photo: Tyler Arterburn via CNN Wire
Campbellsville University band members are doused during their ALS Ice Bucket Challenge on campus Thursday morning.

Two Campbellsville firefighters remained hospitalized in Louisville, two others were treated and released following an electrical accident on Campbellsville University's campus Thursday morning. The firefighters were in an elevated bucket hosing down University band members for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

41 year old Captain Tony Grider, a 16 year department veteran, and 22 year old Simon Quinn, a part-time firefighter, were admitted to the University of Louisville Medical center burn unit where one is listed in critical condition, the other in stable condition, after being transferred from a local hospital.

They received electric shocks when their ladder came too close to a high-power electric line. Neither the ladder nor the bucket came in contact with the power line, but Campbellsville Police Chief Tim Hazlette said there was enough electricity running through the line that it shot an arc onto the firefighters' ladder as they were taking it down into what Hazlette called "travel mode." No students were injured.

Eric Johnson, with the group "Supporting Heroes", says other area firefighters are at the U of L Hospital showing their moral support to the two firefighters inside. Johnson said an injury like this affects all firefighters because, "they face dangerous situations every day and they know that 'there but for the grace of God go I' ."

The University's Baptist Campus Ministry held a prayer service on campus Thursday night.

The award-winning news team at WKU Public Radio consists of Dan Modlin, Kevin Willis, Lisa Autry, and Joe Corcoran.
Related Content