Mike King. Submitted photo

Just over a month after sustaining near-fatal injuries from being struck by a vehicle during a routine response, volunteer firefighter Mike King of the Oneida Valley Volunteer Fire Company returned home from the hospital on Saturday, April 18, and two members of his department helped bring him home in style.

As seen in a series of videos posted to her Facebook page, Mike’s sister and fellow volunteer firefighter, Stacey Shields, and her husband, department president Terry Shields, arrived to meet King at Allegheny Valley Hospital in Natrona Heights, where he was undergoing rehabilitation. They arrived to meet him in one of the fire department’s engines.

“Myself and my husband surprised him at rehab by picking him up in the engine,” Stacey said.

Vehicles from numerous Butler County fire and police departments — including Herman, Butler Township and Unionville’s volunteer fire companies — joined King and Shields in a massive procession. The group eventually stopped at the Oneida Valley station in Oakland Township for a group photo. In one video, King could be seen holding back tears while riding in the passenger seat.

King’s injury occurred on Friday, March 13, after he was dispatched to clear a downed tree on Oneida Valley Road caused by high winds. During the response, a branch fell over, forcing King back onto the road where he was struck by a vehicle. The collision led to King breaking all of his ribs.

He was immediately taken to Allegheny General Hospital, where he underwent numerous operations, before being transferred to Allegheny Valley Hospital for short-term rehabilitation.

“Mike still has therapy to do and a long road to recovery,” Shields said.

A GoFundMe has been created to help the family pay for medical expenses. As of Sunday, April 19, the GoFundMe had collected $23,770 out of a goal of $26,000.

Mike King. Submitted photo.