A NSW firefighter has been seriously injured while battling fires in the state’s north.
The man, aged in his 50s, was helping to fight the blaze as a volunteer firefighter at Coutts Crossing in the Clarence Valley when he was struck by a falling tree about 5.30pm on Wednesday.
Emergency services rushed to the active fire area to help him.
Paramedics treated him for head and pelvic injuries before he was airlifted to Lismore Hospital by rescue helicopter.
He was then flown to Gold Coast University Hospital for urgent treatment.
NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) confirmed one of their firefighters had been injured while “actively engaged in firefighting operations on a fire ground”.
“The male firefighter was provided initial first aid by fellow firefighters before NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the member on scene and transported him to hospital,” they said.
“The RFS is providing support to the injured member and their family, as well as to fellow firefighters impacted by this incident.
“Our thoughts are with the member during this time.”
