Volunteer Firefighter Struck On Head By Tree Limb

LUTHERVILLE, Md. (WJZ) -- A volunteer firefighter from the Lutherville VFC was struck in the head by a tree limb.

It happened a little after 10 a.m. Tuesday while Michael Murphy, 22, was helping free a patient from an automobile accident at Cromwell Bridge and Satyr Hill Roads.

Officials say an SUV had run off the road and down an embankment into a wooded area. The top portion of a small tree, with a main branch about three to four inches in diameter, snapped and fell on firefighter's head as he assisted with the extrication.

Murphy was conscious and breathing when he was flown to Shock Trauma, and his injuries were not believed to be life-threatening. He was wearing full turnout gear, including his helmet, when he was injured.

Murphy is employed as a career firefighter with the Montgomery County Fire Department, where he has worked since 2008. He was released from the hospital Tuesday afternoon.

The driver of the vehicle was also taken to Shock Trauma.