Volunteer firefighter who lost consciousness in traffic accident during vehicle fire suppression regains consciousness after one month

Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters building exterior

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] A veteran volunteer firefighter with 26 years of experience, who lost consciousness and was hospitalized after an unexpected traffic accident while extinguishing a vehicle fire on the road, miraculously regained consciousness about a month after the accident, bringing relief to those around him.

According to the Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters on the 26th, at around 4:25 PM on November 29 last year, a fire broke out in a 1-ton truck on National Route 6 heading towards Seoul in Yangpyeong-eup, Yangpyeong-gun. At that time, volunteer firefighter Lee Deok-jong (65, Head of the Protection Department of Maryong Volunteer Fire Brigade) from Yangpyeong Fire Station, who happened to be passing nearby, stopped his car and took out a fire extinguisher to put out the fire. While doing so, he was hit by an 8.5-ton truck passing by and suffered serious injuries in an unexpected accident.

Immediately after the accident, Lee was transferred to a university hospital in Suwon and underwent major surgery, but he did not regain consciousness and was at the brink of life and death in the intensive care unit.

About a month after being hospitalized, at the end of December last year, Lee miraculously regained consciousness. Although his cognitive abilities were somewhat diminished, he was moved from the intensive care unit to a general ward and showed rapid recovery, eventually recognizing his family and being able to communicate.

Although Lee still shows some difficulties, such as not remembering the accident, he was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital in Yangpyeong on the 19th, where he has begun rehabilitation treatment for speech, motor skills, and cognitive abilities, preparing for a second life.

The Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters has spared no attention and support for Lee’s recovery since immediately after the accident. In particular, Yangpyeong Fire Station has been in frequent contact with the victim’s family to carefully ensure that they experience as little discomfort as possible.

Cho Sun-ho, head of the Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters, said, "Lee Deok-jong, who instinctively threw himself into the fire scene risking his life, is a true hero of our time who embodies the noble spirit of volunteer firefighters’ selfless service." He promised, "We will spare no effort to help his speedy recovery." Cho also visited the hospital where Lee is receiving treatment to wish him a swift recovery.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.