TOLEDO, Spain — A Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department firefighter and his wife assisted in treating critically injured passengers after their train was involved in a high-speed rail collision Wednesday in central Spain.
Firefighter Josue Garcia-Otero and his wife, Diamary Garcia, were traveling with six family members on a post-wedding trip when the crash occurred, JFRD said in a news release.
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After ensuring their own family reached safety, the couple immediately began rendering medical aid to other victims at the scene. Authorities report that as of Wednesday afternoon, at least 68 people were killed in the crash.
Firefighter Josue Garcia-Otero has served with JFRD for four years and is assigned to the department’s Critical Care Team, which is composed of its most highly trained paramedics. His wife, Garcia, works as a nurse.
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Garcia-Otero described the immediate aftermath of the crash and how the couple stepped in to assist.
“We got to safety first, then began treating other patients that were critically injured,” Garcia-Otero said in the news release. “My wife is a nurse and she was helping too.”
Earlier this month, JFRD highlighted Garcia-Otero as part of its Hispanic Heritage Month series. In that feature, he noted that the month is a time to honor the values his grandparents passed down, “especially caring for others.”
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JFRD Fire Chief Percy Golden II commended the couple for their response during the disaster.
“Our hearts are with the people of Spain and everyone impacted by this terrible tragedy,” Golden said. “Josue had every reason to focus on his own family and nothing more. Instead, once they were safe, he and his wife went to work. That just goes to show the caliber of first responders they are.”
JFRD officials confirmed the department is in contact with the family and is preparing to welcome them home safely.
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