JONES A former Gaffney firefighter is recovering from serious injuries he suffered last week during a freak accident at the Boiling Springs (N.C.) Rural Fire Department.

Matthew Jones, who serves as a driver/engineer for Charlotte Fire Department’s Engine Company 11 and is a volunteer at the Boiling Springs Rural Fire Department, was injured Friday while volunteers were performing maintenance duties.

No one witnessed the accident but Boiling Springs Rural Fire Chief Bobby Jones said Matthew Jones apparently was struck in the head and face by a hose nozzle during a freak accident.

“They said he had a skull fracture, broken jaw, broken nose and part of the orbit around the eye was broken,” Chief Jones said.

Matthew Jones immediately was taken to Carolinas Medical Center (CMC) where he underwent surgery. He initially was placed in intensive care but has steadily been upgraded since.

He was listed in good condition Tuesday afternoon, according to a CMC spokeswoman.

Jones worked for the City of Gaffney Fire Department until 2001 when he left to go work for the Charlotte Fire Department.

As a member of a tightknit brotherhood, word of Jones’ injuries made its way almost immediately to Gaffney firefighters.

“We’re looking forward to having him back on the fire truck, sooner rather than later,” said Charlotte Fire Department spokesman Robert Brisley.

Matt Jones was admitted to CMC at about the same time as a Charlotte police officer who was injured in another accident.

Concerned about the welfare of their brothers, Brisley said the waiting area at CMC was full of Charlotte firefighters and police officers.

Chief Jones said the Boiling Springs Rural Fire Department has taken statements from everyone present in an attempt to learn what happened, but the details remained unclear because no one actually saw the accident.

The hose and nozzle did not explode.

The chief said even Matt Jones didn’t know what happened.

“He doesn’t remember anything,” the chief said. “He (only) remembers waking up on the ride from Shelby to Charlotte.”

The chief said he went to see Jones in the hospital Monday

Not only was Jones doing much better, the chief said Jones actually wanted to get back to work.