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A Gila Bend firefighter who was doing maintenance work on a fire truck is in critical condition after the vehicle came down on him.
The incident happened on Friday, Feb. 23, around 5:10 p.m. at the Gila Bend Fire Station near Pima Street and Scott Avenue.
The firefighter, Cody Jordan, was working on a fire truck when, at some point, it came down on him, says Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.
He was flown to a hospital in life-threatening condition. As of Feb. 24, MCSO says the firefighter's condition has improved, and he's in critical condition.
No more information is available.
"It’s been very touch and go all the way since the beginning. We’re a very close fire family, and it’s been tough," said Gila Bend Fire Chief Arelia Henry on Feb. 25.
The department said the 34-year-old was underneath the cab of a fire truck trying to replace the battery when it fell on him.
"This is a very unfortunate incident, but with what they do, anything is expected. In life, anything is expected. Everyone is just here rooting for Cody. He’s a fighter and he’s going to be OK. He’s going to do everything he can to be OK," Lisa Jordan, his wife, said.
She says her husband hasn't been able to talk yet because he's still intubated.
He had surgery to stabilize his chest, which was fractured in multiple places.
Family and friends created a GoFundMe page to help the paramedic who had just graduated from fire school and was starting as a volunteer firefighter.
"He's opened his eyes, and he's been able to squeeze hands and move his feet. Last night, I was holding his hands and I told him to squeeze my hands twice if he loved me. He squeezed my hands six times," she said.
When asked if Cody would be returning to work as a paramedic, or if, the department said the doctors had told them it was too early to tell.
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Gila Bend firefighter recovering after scary incident
Map of where the fire station is located: