Easton Officials Honored For Saving Woman Impaled In Nor'easter

EASTON, MA — A group of Easton firefighters and public works employees were honored this week for rescuing a woman impaled by a tree during a nor'easter in March. Kathy Steiger was driving to pick up her husband after a tree hit his car during a bomb cyclone March 2. Another tree limb crashed down on Steiger's vehicle as she was driving and impaled her leg. The limb was 3 inches wide and immobilized her.

Public works employees John Ames and Wayne Casey were the first to arrive at the crash scene. They used a belt as a tourniquet on Steiger's leg. Easton Fire Chief Kevin Partridge, Captain Jim Walsh and Firefighter David McRae then arrived and used battery-powered cutting equipment to slice the limb off and remove Steiger from the vehicle.

Steiger, who recovered, visited the fire station in April to thank the firefighters.

"We tried to keep her calm and warm and let her know everything was going to be OK," Partridge said.

On Monday, Selectmen honored the firefighters and public works employees for their actions.

Lead photo: From left to right: Easton Fire Captain Jim Walsh, Firefighter David McRae, Kathy Steiger, Kurt Steiger and Fire Chief Kevin Partridge. (Credit: Easton Fire Department)