DANVILLE -- A Turbotville firefighter seriously injured last week while fighting a barn fire in Anthony Township, Montour County, is improving, his son said Monday evening.
A state police fire marshal deemed the fire was the work of an arsonist.
Wayne Hawley II, a captain in the Warrior Run Area Fire Department, sustained grave injuries while fighting the fire on Wednesday evening. He remains hospitalized at Geisinger Medical Center in serious condition, according to a nursing supervisor.
"He's doing better," said Wayne Hawley III, Monday evening. "He's off the respirator."
He said his father is expected to be transferred to a Philadelphia-area hospital when a drain, still attached, is removed. That may be in the next few days, he said.
"He's eating solid food, and he's sleeping a lot better, too," said his son. "But he still doesn't have any feeling in his legs."
Mr. Hawley underwent surgery last Friday. He suffered spinal injuries, a punctured lung and other injuries when a heavy barn beam struck him on the head while he was fighting the fire.
Meanwhile, Linda Brown, executive vice-president at Service First federal Credit Union, where Mr. Hawley was an information systems analyst, announced the formation of a recovery fund to benefit Mr. Hawley and his family with expenses not covered by his insurance.
Service First made an undisclosed opening contribution to kick off the fund, Ms. brown said in a statement. "Wayne never misses an opportunity to help those in need, and Service First hopes the community will join us in returning the favor," she said."Wayne demonstrates his dedication to helping others day in and day out. Whether he is responding to a call or just tackling the day, his kindness and sense of humor never cease."
After just a few months working at Service First, Mr. Hawley volunteered to go to Louisiana to assist with the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, where he spent several weeks working on cell towers.
Donations to the Hawley Recovery Fund will be accepted at any Service First location in Danville, Lewisburg, Shamokin Dam, Wilkes-Barre and Williamsport. Donations may be mailed to Hawley Recovery Fund, Service First Federal Credit Union, 1207 Bloom Street, Danville, PA 17821.
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