(Photo Submitted)
Bobby Ryan at his desk doing paperwork is a familiar sight to all who know the 33-year Williamson Fire Department firefighter.
Ryan was injured Friday when he collided with another vehicle in a high-speed collision at Naugatuck. Bill Hinkle of Delbarton died in the accident. Ryan was flown out to Cabell Huntington Hospital.
Jerry Mounts, chief at the WFD, told the Daily News that although his injuries were severe and numerous, Ryan is conscious and responsive.
Ryan’s injuries include a fractured left elbow, four fractured ribs, a fractured pelvis, a crushing injury to his right ankle, severe abdominal bruising and a hematoma on his brain. His condition is listed as critical, but stable and improving. He remains in ICU.
Ryan has been a career firefighter at WFD for 33 years, is the president of the local chapter of the International Association of Firefighters, chairman of the WFD annual Muscular Dystrophy Association charitable fund raising effort and a longtime veteran baseball umpire of the Tug Valley Board of Officials.
“Bobby epitomizes what being given the opportunity to be a firefighter means: to help those in need regardless of their station in life,” Mounts said. “I have seen Bobby create problems for himself as a result of his selfless acts of generosity because he has always had such as sense of duty to help.”
Chief Mounts said the outpouring of concern from the community has been tremendous.
“We have fielded countless calls from people near and far who after hearing about Bobby wanted to know how he was doing,” Mounts said. “We’re actually keeping a log of the names to give to Bobby when he recovers. We want people to know that they are more than welcome to continue to call for updates at anytime. Lieutenant Joey Carey is assigned the duty of collecting routine updates of Bobby’s condition for the department and general public.”
Ryan’s family asked Mounts to express their deepest and sincere appreciation to everyone for their concern for Bobby. They are actually overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and offers of prayer.
Cards from well wishers can be sent to the following address:
Bobby Ryan
Room 4905
Cabell Huntington Hospital
1340 Hal Greer Boulevard
Huntington, West Virginia
25701
Pamela Scott Johnson