On Friday, May 23 about 7:30 p.m., Chelsea Area Fire Chief Jim Payeur was working on hooking up a piece of farming equipment when he was struck by the tractor resulting in a large laceration to his upper thigh, blood loss and broken bones.
According to a written statement from the Payeur family, the chief is currently at U-M Hospital in good condition and is expected to make a full recovery.
The family said, “Immediate aid was provided by family members and two men who were passing by — one of them a medical student.”
A 911 call was placed by family members to Washtenaw County Central Dispatch, and Saline Fire Department, Huron Valley Ambulance and the Washtenaw County Sheriff Department responded to the call.
Fire fighters and paramedics were able to control the bleeding and stabilize Payeur before he was transported by ambulance to the hospital.
“Jim and his family would like to thank everyone who has provided aid and support — including the men who stopped to help, the WCCD, WCSD deputies, Saline Fire Fighters, HVA medics, and the excellent E.R. doctors, nurses and support staff at U of M Hospital.”
“The care and outcome has been phenomenal,” Kim Payeur said,adding, “Jim would also like to say thank you to everyone for the encouraging words and the many thoughts and prayers, sent out for him and the offers of help and comfort extended to his family.”
Rod Anderson, chairman of the CAFA Board said Sunday that he’d spoken to the chief and that “the board wishes him a speedy recovery.”
Anderson said although the board was poised to meet to discuss how to move forward while Payeur was recuperating, the chief assured him that he could handle any administrative matters either by phone or email.
“We don’t see any reason to change anything,” Anderson said.
