“This place was great,” said Kearns said of the Saddle Brook rehabilitation facility.
Kearns survived a 15-foot fall while battling a stubborn Hackensack blaze, tearing several muscles in his lower back.
He was transferred to Kessler from Hackensack University Medical Center two weeks ago today and must remain in a brace another four to six weeks.
At that point, physicians will determine whether the popular captain needs surgery or to continue rehab, his wife, Colleen, told CLIFFVIEW PILOT.
“They told him he’s very lucky,” she said. “He has very strong muscles.”
Some colleagues thought Kearns was doing fine after falling through the roof of an enclosed porch during the blaze.
It later turned out that he was severely injured.
“I’m making progress,” Kearns told CLIFFVIEW PILOT on June 2, “but I’m still in a lot of pain.”
That said, his spirits are great.
“He’s very determined,” Colleen Kearns said. “He can’t wait to get back to playing ball with his son.”
RELATED (Click on headline to read):
Teaneck fire captain who fell through roof in rehab with broken back
Saturday, 02 June 2012 00:44 Jerry DeMarcoEXCLUSIVE REPORT: His colleagues thought Fire Capt. Paul Kearns was doing fine after falling 15 feet through a roof while fighting a stubborn Hackensack blaze, but the truth was that he tore several muscles in his lower back and “is lucky to be alive,” his wife, Colleen, told CLIFFVIEW PILOT.
Fire captain injured after Hackensack BBQ propane tank explosion
Saturday, 26 May 2012 20:58 Jerry DeMarcoONLY ON CVP: A Teaneck fire captain was being kept overnight at Hackensack University Medical Center after falling through the roof while fighting a stubborn blaze at a Hackensack house where a propane tank exploded during a barbecue.
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