POCA, W.Va. — The Poca Volunteer Fire Department chief is recovering from severe injuries after a mishap during a Monday night call.
Chief Shawn West suffered numerous injuries while he and fellow department members worked to remove a tree limb which had fallen across Davis Drive near Raymond City.
“Chief West was attempting to remove the branch. While he was being assisted by other members a larger portion of the tree broke free,” said Assistant Chief Matt West, the chief’s brother. “The falling portion of the tree struck and pinned Chief West and was removed by the other members.”
The assistant chief said there was no indication of any imminent danger from the rest of the tree as the crew began to remove the downed limb. .
“He’s got almost 30 years of experience and he’s pretty handy with a chainsaw,” said Matt of his brother. “It’s just one of those things where there’s a risk associated with any call we run and this time it just came home.”
The chief suffered a broken ankle, broken leg, broken pelvis, three broken ribs, two fractured vertebrae, a concussion, and a minor lung injury. He was undergoing surgery at Charleston Area Medical Center General Hospital Tuesday afternoon.