May 17, 2023 The Métis wildland firefighter who was hit by a tree is in a coma after suffering extensive injuries.
Source Firehouse.com News
A Métis wildland firefighter from East Prairie Métis Settlement is in a coma in an Edmonton hospital after being injured while battling a wildfire that was threatening his home and community.
Frankie Payou, 33, has been a firefighter for 14 years, APTN news reported.
He was helping to fight the fire that was coming closer to his neighborhood. “Frankie had done everything he could to try to save their house,” said Jessica Supernault, Melody’s cousin. “He went to a neighbors’ to help another house and within that 15 minutes their house had burned.”
Payou was cutting down a burned tree when it came down on top of him. He was airlifted to Edmonton to deal with his extensive injuries. He remains in a coma.
He has liver and kidney damage, broken ribs and back injuries.