ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – A volunteer firefighter is recovering after a crash on the Parks Highway left him and his two dogs injured.
Michael McMartin, a volunteer firefighter with the Houston Fire Department, was in a crash Tuesday after swerving into a ditch.
“I have two dogs, and I believe I turned to look in the back at one of them,” McMartin said.
“And, you know, whenever you look a certain way, it kind of pulls on the steering wheel, and I think that’s what dragged me into the ditch.”
McMartin said he was quickly aided by bystanders, including an off-duty firefighter and a veteran. In a matter of minutes, the Houston Fire Department was on the scene.
“Myself and my captain responded from station 92 and we got around traffic as we were making our way to scene,” said Lisa Johansen, a volunteer firefighter with the Houston Fire Department.
“As we got around some of the vehicles, we were able to see the vehicle involved and we realized that it was Michael’s vehicle.”
Johansen told Alaska’s News Source that she has known McMartin for around five years, both from the fire department and living as neighbors.
“Earlier this winter, my son slid off the road into a ditch very early in the morning, and I put out a call for help,” she said.
“Michael was the first one there pulling him out. If you need anything, Michael is your guy.”
Johansen said she was shocked at first to see McMartin but quickly went into action.
“It makes your heart drop. You see the vehicle and it hits you and you realize who you’re coming up on,” she said.
“But at that point, you know that you’re just going into work mode. It’s a patient and you need to do what you have to do to take care of them. And then after the call, it kind of hits you like, whoa, you know, that’s my brother that just got taken away by ambulance.”
McMartin was taken to the hospital, where he underwent surgery for a fractured vertebra. One of his dogs was taken to Big Lake VCA, before being transferred to PET Emergency Treatment in Anchorage for surgery.
“The puppy that I have was 100% fine, just a little scratch on her paw,” McMartin said.
“My five-year-old Malamute has had one surgery already and needs another one and it’s not looking too good.”
In the days since the accident, McMartin said he has been able to walk for short distances.
Friends and family of McMartin’s have started a GoFundMe to help pay for his medical expenses.
They are also encouraging members of the community to donate directly to PET Emergency Treatment to help pay for the medical expenses of McMartin’s dog.
According to McMartin, almost $19,000 have been donated to PET, as well as $1,600 to his personal GoFundMe.
“It makes me want to just do so much more than I already do,” he said.
“To be able to help is something that’s invaluable, you know, especially with the EMS side. Especially now that I’m hurt, I appreciate it so much more.”
Editor’s note: Alaska’s News Source makes no representations or warranties of any kind about the authenticity, accuracy, or reliability of any GoFundMe campaign. Any donations you make to such campaigns are strictly at your own risk. If you have any questions related to the authenticity, accuracy, or reliability of a GoFundMe campaign, please contact GoFundMe directly or consult the GoFundMe Guarantee Policy.
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