Philadelphia firefighter injured in fall released from hospital
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A Philadelphia firefighter says he's grateful to be alive after he was critically injured battling a house fire last month. He's been released from the hospital but still has months of recovery ahead of him.
Randy Ballinger fell 25 feet from the roof of a home in the city's Kingsessing section back on February 25. He says all he remembers next is waking up in the hospital.
"I thought I was going to die," Ballinger said.
From the basement of his home, the only room his wheelchair can get in and out of, Ballinger says he still doesn't remember the fall that left him clinging to life.
"I don't actually know what happened, if I tripped slipped or fell, I'm not sure," Ballinger said.
Ballinger, a third-generation firefighter, was released from Penn Presbyterian Hospital Wednesday surrounded by his doctors, nurses, family and colleagues.
"Firefighting is my passion, it's the only thing I wanted to do in my life," Ballinger said. "They were immediate to spring into action to help me they probably saved my life."
He arrived home to a ceremonious salute.
"I'm a bagpiper, so the Philadelphia police and fire drums played me from the street up into the house," Ballinger said.
Ballinger's feet remain casted from multiple leg and ankle fractures. He also suffered critical injuries including a torn aorta, collapsed lung and a broken pelvis. Despite many months of recovery to come, he says he's grateful to be home surrounded by his fiance, Kathy, and daughters eight-year-old Keira and two-year-old Keiley.
"They were missing their dad," Ballinger said.
As for what's next, Ballinger says he's planning to return to Station 13 one day down the road.
"I want to be back with my company, I want to be climbing on roofs," Ballinger said.
But in the meantime, he is taking his own advice in the face of adversity.
"Just work hard, never give up," Ballinger said.
Ballinger also says with his doctors' approval, he's hopeful to spend some time with his bagpipe and drum band over this coming St. Patrick's Day weekend.
