Firefighter injures Hand

[Ladder44 73]

Torrington,CT-A city firefighter was seriously injured Monday afternoon while working on an engine at the North End Station.

Firefighter Phillip Hearn was performing weekly maintenance on engine No. 3 at about 1:20 p.m. when the ladder mechanism failed, causing the entire unit to fall, pinning the fingers on Hearn's right hand and the index finger of his left under the unit, Fire Chief John Field said.

A second firefighter working next to Hearn was able to lift the unit off his hands, freeing him, Field said.

Hearn was transported to Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington by another engine and engine No. 3 was immediately removed from service and was impounded at the Torrington Police Department's impound lot until the investigation is complete, Field said.

Hearn was treated and released from the hospital Monday.

Field did not know when Hearn could resume his duties as a firefighter.

The accident is being investigated by the Torrington Fire Department Training and Safety Division.