A volunteer firefighter suffered extensive injuries to much of her body while responding to a truck accident last week, resulting in the amputation of her left arm. She is expected to make a full recovery, but the mother and nursing student will now have to find a way to adjust to life without her arm.

According to police reports, the series of events that led to the truck accident injuries began with a tanker explosion in the early morning hours near Sour Lake, Texas, which is about 20 miles west of Beaumont. The Pinewood volunteer firefighter department was called to the scene, and the firefighter was assigned to redirect oncoming traffic around the burning tanker.

But while the firefighter was directing traffic, an 18-wheeler that was attempting to turn around suddenly backed directly into her as her back was turned. She became caught in the truck's axle and was essentially run over by the big rig.

As a result, she suffered traumatic injuries to most of the left side of her body, and doctors were forced to amputate her left arm above the elbow. There were also extensive injuries to her right hand and fingers, but doctors believe that she will gain full use of her hand.

The driver of the 18-wheeler received a citation for backing without safety, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The firefighter is a 12-year veteran of the Pinewood Volunteer Fire Department, which was founded by her father. The 30-year-old mother was just one month away from completing her nursing degree when the truck accident occurred.

Source: Beaumont Enterprise, "Hardin County firefighter still in intensive care after 18-wheeler accident," Jessica Lipscomb, Nov. 28, 2011