Pa. Junior Firefighter Improving After Hit by SUV

April 29--The Lock 4 Volunteer Fire Company has set up a fund for Brandon Schwalb, a junior firefighter who was hit by a moving SUV April 22 in North Charleroi while running to a fire call.

According to Lock 4 second assistant chief Mike Castner, the 14-year-old was released from intensive care and placed into a regular room Sunday at Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh.

Schwalb is in serious but stable condition, according to Castner, who visited Schwalb for the first time Sunday. The teenager underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a broken femur, among other lower-body injuries.

"I finally got up to see him. They're saying he's not allowed to walk for 30 days and he's got a long way to go, but he's doing a lot better after a tough week," Castner said. "He has a lot of spirit and keeps asking to get out of the hospital, but he has a long road of recovery ahead."

Castner said the Schwalb family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers.

Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation can write a check payable to "The Lock 4 V.F.C. Benefit Fund" to Charleroi Federal Savings Bank, P.O. Box 209, Charleroi, PA. 15022. The bank will not accept any checks made out directly to the Schwalb family.

Rick Bruni Jr. is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at rbruni@tribweb.com or 724-684-2635.

Copyright 2013 - The Valley Independent, Monessen, Pa.