Dawson Creek firefighter Captain Brooks Gower was hit by a pickup truck last week on Highway 97 South near Groundbirch while responding to a call about a single vehicle rollover in the ditch around 7 a.m. on Wednesday.
According to his wife, Tryna, Brooks suffered nine broken ribs, five fractured vertebrae (without spinal cord injury), two broken legs, and a broken arm, all of which have been surgically repaired. Thankfully, he is no longer in critical condition. Tryna described his recovery as a “storybook miracle” and shared that he’s expected to walk again.
Tryna humorously noted that Brooks now resembles a Dawson Creek Coop renovation project, with nails from head to toe, but his face remains perfect and handsome, with just one small scar to add toughness. When Brooks learned about his improving condition, he immediately perked up and started asking about the Blue Jays game.
The morning of the accident was marked by freezing rain and thick fog, which Tryna highlighted as a reminder for drivers to be more cautious. She believes that increasing road awareness by 10 to 20 percent could prevent such accidents.
She also expressed gratitude for the community’s overwhelming support, saying, “Good people are everywhere, and I’m seeing it every second.” Fire Chief Marcel Capelle shared a sense of relief at the fire hall and praised the firefighters for coming together to support Brooks during this time.
-with files from Noah Abel CJDC
