PRATT, W.Va. — Chief Timmy Walker of the Pratt Volunteer Fire Department showed some signs of recovery Monday morning after suffering life-threatening injuries in a Saturday fire truck wreck near Gallagher that claimed the lives of two fellow firefighters.
“Timmy has improved some. He’s not out of trouble. He’s still in very serious (condition) but he has showed some improvement. He had major head trauma,” Pratt Deputy Chief Rod Johnson said Monday during an appearance on MetroNews “Talkline.”
Belle VFD Chaplain David Nelson said he’s been praying for Walker to be healed.
“I believe in God. I believe in divine healing and we have to have faith that He is going to touch those who need a touch from Him,” Nelson said.
Walker, 42, of Hansford, Billy Hypes, 56, of Gallagher, and Kyle Jenkins, 17, of Pratt, were all injured in the crash that claimed the lives of Assistant Chief Mike Edwards, 46, and Lt. Tom Craigo, 40, both of Hansford.
State police closed Paint Creek Road for a few hours Monday to give an accident reconstruction team time and space to work. It’s believed the engine pumper ran off the road and into a ditch. The five-person cab then slammed into the jagged rock formation that follows the outside edge of the highway.
Johnson said Edwards grew up around the fire station and received recognition last December for 25 years of service.
“Mikey was a loving guy. He loved his family. He will be missed,” Johnson said.
Craigo worked for Hutch’s Wrecker Service in eastern Kanawha County and was described by Johnson as a “busy guy.”
“He’s been a member of the Smithers Fire Department and the Handley Fire Department. He ended up moving to Pratt. He worked every day of his life,” Johnson said.
A combined 40 years of experience will be almost impossible to replace, Johnson said.
“They both dedicated their entire lives to the fire department. Our younger guys loved them to death–looked up to them–we all did. They will be sorely, sorely missed for sure,” he said.
Hypes was sitting up in his hospital bed Monday. He’s recovering from a surgery he had in the hours after the crash.
“He is talking some. He’s the most stable out of all of them,” Johnson said.
The youngest of the group, Jenkins, continued his recovery at home Monday.
Chaplain Nelson said one thing Pratt doesn’t have to worry about is assistance. He said the Upper Kanawha Valley will be there for them.
“There’s not a department that’s located within the county that wouldn’t be willing to help another one. We would travel distances in order to give that help,” Nelson said.
Procession for Pratt VFD https://t.co/sU0hpWvGzv
— Brad McElhinny (@BradMcElhinny) March 26, 2018