By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• A Providence firefighter was seriously injured after falling about 10 feet down an elevator shaft during a rescue at a senior housing complex on March 16.
• Crews were responding to a power outage that left residents trapped in an elevator at Sister Dominica Manor on Atwells Avenue.
• The firefighter suffered head and leg injuries and was transported to a trauma center, where he was reported alert and expected to recover.
• The outage was caused by a fallen tree branch on power lines, and the incident remains under review.
PROVIDENCE, RI — A veteran Providence firefighter was seriously injured after falling approximately 10 feet down an elevator shaft while responding to a rescue call at a senior housing complex, fire officials said.
The incident occurred March 16 at Sister Dominica Manor on Atwells Avenue, where crews were dispatched for a power outage that had trapped residents inside an elevator, according to authorities.
During the operation, the firefighter lost footing and fell into the elevator shaft. He sustained head and leg injuries and was transported to Rhode Island Hospital’s trauma center, officials said.
Fire officials reported the firefighter was alert and conscious following the fall and is expected to recover.
The power outage affecting the building was attributed to a tree branch that fell onto nearby power lines, according to utility officials. The incident remains under review.