Experienced Métis firefighter in coma after Alberta wildfire accident
Posted May 17, 2023 7:45 am.
Last Updated May 17, 2023 12:39 pm.
A firefighter and father of three from the Métis community of East Prairie is in the intensive care unit after being crushed by a tree while battling the blazes in his home community.
A GoFundMe — which was originally organized to help the family after their home was destroyed by fire on May 5 — says that Frankie Payou, a wildland firefighter with 14 years experience, stayed behind while his three daughters and pregnant girlfriend Melody Robinson evacuated.
Despite his efforts, the family home was lost.
On Sunday, Payou was cutting down a half-burnt tree when it broke and fell on him, leaving the firefighter unconscious.
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According to the page, he was airlifted to the University of Alberta hospital where he remains in a coma.
In the latest fire update, executive director of the Alberta Emergency Management Agency Colin Blair said they haven’t had any injuries reported to them.
“That doesn’t mean that local authorities aren’t having injuries on site and tracking them,” he explained. “I guess the good thing, is we haven’t had a fatality to this point and time.”
The community of East Prairie has reportedly lost more than 25 homes.
-With files from The Canadian Press
