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Everyone continues to talk about a fireman’s miraculous recovery
May 04, 2005 - 7 News is expected to get an update today on the condition of Buffalo firefighter Don Herbert.
The Catholic Health System has scheduled a news conference on the matter. In the meantime, the country continues to talk about this man's miraculous recovery.
It was a fire Patrick Coughlan will never forget.
The retired lieutenant worked in Rescue Company One, second platoon, with Don Herbert.
Don was one of his guys.
“Donny was a go getter, he was a very active, viable fireman, he ended up in the attic,” said Patrick Coughlan, retired fire lieutenant.
The roof would eventually cave in on the attic that December 1995 morning.
The force of the collapse knocked off Don's air mask depriving him of oxygen for several minutes.
Don Herbert, then 34-years-old, suffered severe brain damage. In the years since he's only been able to communicate through slurred words.
That is until Saturday afternoon.
“Some other members of the crew went out to see him and they couldn't believe it. They called me after the visit… ‘Paddy, you wouldn't believe it. He's talking, he remembers you, he remembers the whole crew,’” said Coughlan.
Patrick Coughlan took a trip out to Father Baker Manor on Sunday to see Don.
“He was fatigued, I would say, yes, sleepy and tired. He had been up to 6 in the morning talking,” said Coughlan.
From the time he first started talking Saturday afternoon, he kept going, for 14 hours straight, catching up with friends and family.
Don's former lieutenant says it's all big shock.
“It makes you stop and think about the power of prayer,” said Coughlan.
May 04, 2005 - 7 News is expected to get an update today on the condition of Buffalo firefighter Don Herbert.
The Catholic Health System has scheduled a news conference on the matter. In the meantime, the country continues to talk about this man's miraculous recovery.
It was a fire Patrick Coughlan will never forget.
The retired lieutenant worked in Rescue Company One, second platoon, with Don Herbert.
Don was one of his guys.
“Donny was a go getter, he was a very active, viable fireman, he ended up in the attic,” said Patrick Coughlan, retired fire lieutenant.
The roof would eventually cave in on the attic that December 1995 morning.
The force of the collapse knocked off Don's air mask depriving him of oxygen for several minutes.
Don Herbert, then 34-years-old, suffered severe brain damage. In the years since he's only been able to communicate through slurred words.
That is until Saturday afternoon.
“Some other members of the crew went out to see him and they couldn't believe it. They called me after the visit… ‘Paddy, you wouldn't believe it. He's talking, he remembers you, he remembers the whole crew,’” said Coughlan.
Patrick Coughlan took a trip out to Father Baker Manor on Sunday to see Don.
“He was fatigued, I would say, yes, sleepy and tired. He had been up to 6 in the morning talking,” said Coughlan.
From the time he first started talking Saturday afternoon, he kept going, for 14 hours straight, catching up with friends and family.
Don's former lieutenant says it's all big shock.
“It makes you stop and think about the power of prayer,” said Coughlan.
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