By MES Dispatch Staff
The Briefing
- EMT Lily Robbins returned home to Searsmont, Maine, on Oct. 30 after 168 days of recovery from injuries in a May explosion at the Robbins Lumber Mill.
- The explosion occurred during a fire at the mill, which her family owns, and killed two first responders.
- The dead were Morrill Firefighter Andrew Cross and Searsmont Assistant Fire Chief Wayne Woodbury; Searsmont EMS Chief Sarah Tompkins was severely injured.
- Robbins recovered in Boston, then was escorted from Augusta to the Searsmont fire station by volunteer first responders, where dozens of community members welcomed her.
- Robbins said she hopes to return to work as an EMS volunteer once she has fully healed.
SEARSMONT, Maine — EMT Lily Robbins returned home Oct. 30 after 168 days of recovery from injuries in a May explosion at the Robbins Lumber Mill, News Center Maine reported.
The explosion occurred during a fire at the mill, which her family owns. It killed Morrill Firefighter Andrew Cross and Searsmont Assistant Fire Chief Wayne Woodbury and severely injured Searsmont EMS Chief Sarah Tompkins. Robbins spent the months since in Boston recovering.
After leaving Boston, Robbins arrived in Augusta, where volunteer first responders escorted her the rest of the way to the Searsmont fire station. Dozens of community members gathered there to welcome her home.
“It feels incredible. The feeling is indescribable,” Robbins said. “I’ve waited for this day for five months, and I’m just so grateful.”
She said she hopes to return as an EMS volunteer once she is fully healed, and that for now she is looking forward to spending time with her siblings. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help cover her medical expenses, lost wages and ongoing recovery costs.