2 firefighters hit by SUV at Safety Harbor fire station

Firefighters injured after SUV crashes into station

FOX 13's Evan Axelbank reports on two firefighters who were injured after an SUV hit them in the station's driveway.

SAFETY HARBOR, Fla. - Two Safety Harbor firefighters are recovering from injuries after being hit by an SUV at a fire station, officials confirmed on Friday.

The crash happened shortly before 9 a.m. Friday at the fire station off McMullen Booth Rd., across from the Countryside Sports Complex.

Capt. Joseph Hans, 50, and Firefighter Ryan Craig were in the driveway cleaning one of their vehicles when they were hit by a disabled vehicle.

Captain Joseph Hans and firefighter paramedic Ryan Craig. Images are courtesy of the Safety Harbor Fire Department.

Hans was flown to the hospital with serious injuries and is listed as stable at the hospital while Craig was treated at the scene, Safety Harbor Fire Chief Andrew Hawkins said Friday afternoon.

The vehicle had been pushed by a deputy's cruiser, because its transmission had blown. But, the 63-year-old driver accidentally missed a turnoff into a golf course, instead driving into the fire station driveway.

The driver said her brakes had failed.

"I won't give you my opinion of what happened," said Chief Deputy Paul Halle of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, "but [I will] let that investigation take its course."

Both firefighters are expected to be okay, but this is being called a horrible accident that the firefighter didn't even see coming.

Two Safety Harbor firefighters are recovering from injuries after being hit by an SUV at a fire station.

"We are a tight-knit group. There's 30 firefighters here," said Hawkins. "This is truly affecting everybody. We have had crews come in from local departments doing peer support and talking to our members because of what they saw today and what they had to, you know, take care of today."

It is unclear as to how fast the car was going or why its brakes weren't working. Either way, this is being treated as an accident, and it's unlikely charges will be pressed.

The driver was also injured but is expected to be okay.

Hans is a 22-year veteran of the department, while Firefighter Craig has been with the department for five years.

Halle said the moments leading to the crash are still under investigation.

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