COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – The veteran Coeur d’Alene firefighter who was shot in an ambush in late June is making strides in his recovery at a rehab hospital in Colorado.
Dave Tysdal was one of three firefighters shot while responding to a fire call on Canfield Mountain. The other two firefighters died.
Tysdal was shot in the back and suffered a collapsed lung and spinal swelling. In the days following the attack, the fire department said Tysdal was unable to move his legs but was able to move the toes on one foot a few weeks after.
Since mid-July, he’s been undergoing rehabilitation at a specialty hospital.
The Coeur d’Alene Fire Department posted an update Friday, showing pictures of Tysdal’s therapy.
His upper body is getting stronger and he’s learning to drive using hand controls.
The fire department says Tysdal suffered a blood infection that resulted in sepsis, but he has since recovered and is back on schedule.
“The Tysdal family would like to thank everyone for their continued prayers and well wishes, as they still have a long road of healing ahead,” the post said.
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