Firefighter gravely injured while stabilising vehicles following Manhattan crash

‘Driver hit the gas and caused car to fall and pin firefighter below,’ acting FDNY commisssioner says

A New York firefighter has been gravely injured after he was pinned under a vehicle that he was trying to stabilise after a crash in Manhattan.

A car was located partially on top of another car on Sunday in the Hell’s Kitchen neighbourhood after a collision.

The collision took place on 11th Avenue and West 42nd Street, with firefighters arriving at around 3.20pm, according to the FDNY.

When the firefighters were bracing the vehicles, one of the cars suddenly moved and pinned one of the firefighters to the ground.

The firefighter, identified as Ryan Warnock, was seriously injured and was taken to hospital for treatment, the FDNY said.

“As a result of the accident, a Volvo and a BMW were on top of each other. As members from Rescue 1 tried to brace and stabilize the car on top and remove the occupants inside, the driver of one of the vehicles hit the gas and caused a car to fall and pin firefighter Ryan Warnock below,” Acting FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said, according to PIX11.

A firefighter was injured while stabilising vehicles after a crash in New York (Screenshot / CBS New York)

A firefighter was injured while stabilising vehicles after a crash in New York (Screenshot / CBS New York)

“Firefighter Warnock was unpinned and taken to Bellevue where he is in serious but stable condition, being treated for injuries to his leg,” she added. “Every day, members of our great Department put their lives on the line to protect the residents of our great city. We are grateful for the quick response of our members, whose fast reactions helped remove firefighter Warnock quickly and ensured he got the medical attention he needed.”

A firefighter was injured while stabilising vehicles after a crash in New York (Screenshot / CBS New York)

Authorities have not yet said what led to the crash, but an FDNY spokesperson noted that there were no civilian injuries reported, according to PIX11 .