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    Yuma Proving Ground fire fighter involved in head-on collision is improving

    YUMA PROVING GROUND, AZ, UNITED STATES

    06.03.2020

    Story by Ana Henderson 

    U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground

    The life of Yuma Proving Ground firefighter Andrew Swick was turned upside down while driving to Yuma for his shift on May 17 when he was in a head-on collision with a wrong way driver.

    Since that day he’s been fighting for his life. Swick suffered severe injuries in the accident and was flown to a trauma Center in Phoenix where he remains in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Swick suffered broken arms, hand, and facial fractures among other injuries.

    Stefany Swick, his wife, has been keeping his friends and family updated via her Facebook page with videos.

    Three days after the accident, Swick underwent surgery and was kept in a medically induced coma and breathing with the help of a ventilator. He was not able to have his wife by his side because of visitor restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    A week after accident on May 24, when Swick was awake and able to communicate his wife dropped off a new cell phone so they could communicate via Facetime. “The first thing he asked when he woke up is if anyone had talked to his chief,” she said.

    One thing Swick is not talking about is the accident. “He doesn’t want to know anything about it, doesn’t want to talk about it…I think it’s a good thing he doesn’t remember.”
    The next day, Swick underwent surgery for his arm and had a CT scan of his abdomen to check for any free fluid—fortunately, doctors did not find any.

    More than a week after the accident Swick was still not able to eat because of his intestines and was only eating chips and water. “It broke my heart I can’t be there to help and feed him” said his wife adding, “I want to take care of him.”

    Less than two weeks after the accident Swick was finally able to eat. His first meal was apple juice, beef broth, and orange Jell-O. “That’s a huge step,” said his wife.

    Every day his condition improves. He’s started physical therapy, but is still in extreme pain because of the injuries to his abdomen. By the first week of June Swick was able to take a few steps down the hallway.

    Swick is amazed and thankful for the improvement her husband has made. “Obviously I want him home today, but with the magnitude of his injuries he’s just a miracle.”

    She thanks everyone for their emotional support. “Thank you so so much for staying up to date with him and his progress-- keep praying its working.”

    After the accident a family friend stared a Go Fund me account for the family and at last check they were just a few hundred dollars short of their goal.

    “I did let him know about our Go Fund Me and how many people have given support and love. He was really shocked, surprised and proud. I told him, ‘you have no idea how many people love you.’”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 06.03.2020
    Date Posted: 06.04.2020 17:16
    Story ID: 371408
    Location: YUMA PROVING GROUND, AZ, US

    Web Views: 63
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN